Germinal center kinase cell cycle proteins, compositions and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to polypeptides, nucleic acids and related molecules which have an effect on or are related to the cell cycle. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided by the present invention are methods for identifying novel compositions which mediate cell cycle bioactivity, and the use of such compositions in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compositions involved in cell cycle regulation and methods of use. More particularly, the present invention is directed to genes encoding proteins and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. Methods of use include use in assays screening for modulators of the cell cycle and use as therapeutics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cells cycle through various stages of growth, starting with the M phase, where mitosis and cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis) occurs. The M phase is followed by the G1 phase, in which the cells resume a high rate of biosynthesis and growth. The S phase begins with DNA synthesis, and ends when the DNA content of the nucleus has doubled. The cell then enters G2 phase, which ends when mitosis starts, signaled by the appearance of condensed chromosomes. Terminally differentiated cells are arrested in the G1 phase, and no longer undergo cell division.

The hallmark of a malignant cell is uncontrolled proliferation. This phenotype is acquired through the accumulation of gene mutations, the majority of which promote passage through the cell cycle. Cancer cells ignore growth regulatory signals and remain committed to cell division. Classic oncogenes, such as ras, lead to inappropriate transition from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, mimicking proliferative extracellular signals. Cell cycle checkpoint controls ensure faithful replication and segregation of the genome. The loss of cell cycle checkpoint control results in genomic instability, greatly accelerating the accumulation of mutations which drive malignant transformation. Thus, modulating cell cycle checkpoint pathways and other such pathways with therapeutic agents could exploit the differences between normal and tumor cells, both improving the selectivity of radio- and chemotherapy, and leading to novel cancer treatments. As another example, it would be useful to control entry into apoptosis.

On the other hand, it is also sometimes desirable to enhance proliferation of cells in a controlled manner. For example, proliferation of cells is useful in wound healing and where growth of tissue is desirable. Thus, identifying modulators which promote, enhance or deter the inhibition of proliferation is desirable.

Proteins of general interest that have been reported on include kinases. The Ste20 family of kinases can be divided into two structurally distinct subfamilies. The first subfamily contains a C-terminal catalytic domain and an N-terminal binding site for the small G proteins Rac1 and Cdc42 (Herskowitz, Cell, 80:187-197 (1995)). The yeast serine/threonine kinase Ste20 and its mammalian homologue, p21 Activated Kinase 1 (PAK1), belong to this subfamily. Ste20 initiates a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade that includes Ste11 (MAPKKK), Ste7 (MAPKK), and FUS3/KSS1 (MAPK) in response to activation of the small G protein Cdc42, as well as signals from the hetero-trimeric G proteins coupled to pheromone receptors (Herskowitz, Cell, 80:187-197 (1995)). Similar to Ste20, PAK1 has been reported to be a Cdc42 and Rac1 effector molecule and specifically regulates the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, one of the mammalian MAPK pathways (Bagrodia, et. al., J. Biol. Chem., 270:27995-27998 (1995); Kyriakis, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271:24313-24316 (1996)). The JNK pathway is activated by a variety of stress inducing agents, including osmotic and heat shock, UV irradiation, protein inhibitors and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (Ip, et al., Curr. Opin. Cell Biol., 10:205-219 (1998)). JNKs are activated through threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation by MEK4 and MEK7 (MAPKK), which are in turn phosphorylated and activated by MAPKKKs including MEK kinase 1 (MEKK1), and mixed lineage kinases MLK2 and MLK3 (Ip, et al., Curr. Opin. Cell Biol., 10:205-219 (1998)). In addition to the activation of the JNK pathway, PAK1 has also been reported to be a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton (Sells, et al., Curr. Biol., 7:202-210 (1997)).

The second subgroup of Ste20 family of kinases is represented by the family of germinal center kinases (GCK) (Kyriakis, J. Biol. Chem., 274:5259-5262 (1999)). In contrast to Ste20 and PAK1, GCK family members have an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal regulatory region. Many GCK family members, including GCK, germinal center kinase related protein (GCKR), meatopoietic protein kinase (HPK) 1, GCK-like kinase (GLK), HPK/GCK-like kinase (HGK) and NCK interacting kinase (NIK), have also been reported to activate the JNK pathway when overexpressed in 293 cells (Pombo, et al., Nature, 377:750-754 (1995); Shi, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:32102-32107 (1997); Kiefer, et al., EMBO J., 15:7013-7025 (1996); Diener, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:9687-9692 (1997); Yao, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 274:2118-2125 (1999); Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)). Among those, GCK and GCKR have been implicated in mediating TNF-induced JNK activation through TNF receptor associated factor 2 (Traf2) (Pombo, et al., Nature, 377:750-754 (1995); Diener, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:9687-9692 (1997); Yuasa, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:22681-22692 (1998)). NCK interacting kinase (NIK) interacts with the SH2-SH3 domain containing adapter protein NCK and has been proposed to link protein tyrosine kinase signals to JNK activation (Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)).

One study reports on a GCK family kinase from Dictyostelium that can phosphorylate Severin in vitro. (Eichinger, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:12952-12959 (1998)). Severin is an F-actin fragmenting and capping enzyme that regulates Dictyostelium motility. However, there has not been any studies indicating the involvement of mammalian GCKs in cytoskeleton regulation.

Despite the desirability of identifying cell cycle components and modulators, there is a deficit in the field of such compounds. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide compositions and methods useful in screening for modulators of the cell cycle. It would also be advantageous to provide novel compositions which are involved in the cell cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids which encode such proteins. Also provided are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capable of modulating the cell cycle. The method comprises combining a cell cycle protein and a candidate bioactive agent and a cell or a population of cells, and determining the effect on the cell in the presence and absence of the candidate agent. Therapeutics for regulating or modulating the cell cycle are also provided.

In one aspect, a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a cell cycle protein of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a sequence complementary to that set forth in FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28. In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle protein provided herein binds to Traf2 or Nck. Most preferably, the cell cycle protein binds to Traf2 and binds to Nck.

In one embodiment, a recombinant nucleic acid is provided which comprises a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in FIG. 21 (SEQ ID NO:1), 22 (SEQ ID NO:2), 23 (SEQ ID NO:3), 24 (SEQ ID NO:4), 25 (SEQ ID NO:5), 26 (SEQ ID NO:6), 27 (SEQ ID NO:7) or 28 (SEQ ID NO:8). In another embodiment, a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a cell cycle protein is provided which comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to a sequence as set forth in FIG. 21 (SEQ ID NO:1), 22 (SEQ ID NO:2), 23 (SEQ ID NO:3), 24 (SEQ ID NO:4), 25 (SEQ ID NO:5), 26 (SEQ ID NO:6), 27 (SEQ ID NO:7) or 28 (SEQ ID NO:8). In a further embodiment, provided herein is a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence as depicted in FIG. 1 for Tnik, (SEQ ID NO:34) or FIG. 29 (SEQ ID NO:9), 30 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 31 (SEQ ID NO: 11), 32 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 33 (SEQ ID NO:13), 34 (SEQ ID NO:14) or 35 (SEQ ID NO:15).

In another aspect of the invention, expression vectors are provided. The expression vectors comprise one or more of the recombinant nucleic acids provided herein operably linked to regulatory sequences recognized by a host cell transformed with the nucleic acid. Further provided herein are host cells comprising the vectors and recombinant nucleic acids provided herein. Moreover, provided herein are processes for producing a cell cycle protein comprising culturing a host cell as described herein under conditions suitable for expression of the cell cycle protein. In one embodiment, the process includes recovering the cell cycle protein.

Also provided herein are recombinant cell cycle proteins encoded by the nucleic acids of the present invention. In one aspect, a recombinant polypeptide is provided herein which comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with a sequence as set forth in FIG. 21 (SEQ ID NO:1), 22 (SEQ ID NO:2), 23 (SEQ ID NO:3), 24 (SEQ ID NO:4), 25 (SEQ ID NO:5), 26 (SEQ ID NO:6), 27 (SEQ ID NO:7) or 28 (SEQ ID NO:8). In one embodiment, a recombinant cell cycle protein is provided which comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in FIG. 1 for Tnik (SEQ ID NO:34), or FIG. 29 (SEQ ID NO:9), 30 (SEQ ID NO:10), 31 (SEQ ID NO:11), 32 (SEQ ID NO:12), 33 (SEQ ID NO:34 (SEQ ID NO:14) or 35 (SEQ ID NO:15).

In another aspect, the present invention provides isolated polypeptides which specifically bind to a cell cycle protein as described herein. Examples of such isolated polypeptides include antibodies. Such an antibody can be a monoclonal antibody. In one embodiment, such an antibody reduces or eliminates the biological function of said cell cycle protein.

Further provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capable of binding to a cell cycle protein. In one embodiment the method comprises combining a cell cycle protein and a candidate bioactive agent, and determining the binding of said candidate bioactive agent to said cell cycle protein.

In another aspect, provided herein is a method for screening for a bioactive agent capable of interfering with the binding of a cell cycle protein and a Traf, preferably Traf2, or Nck protein. In one embodiment, such a method comprises combining a cell cycle protein, a candidate bioactive agent and a Traf or Nck protein, and determining the binding of the cell cycle protein and the Traf or Nck protein. If desired, the cell cycle protein and the Traf or Nck protein can be combined first.

Further provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capable of modulating the activity of cell cycle protein. In one embodiment the method comprises adding a candidate bioactive agent to a cell comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a cell cycle protein, and determining the effect of the candidate bioactive agent on the cell. In a preferred embodiment, a library of candidate bioactive agents is added to a plurality of cells comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a cell cycle protein.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan by the following description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sequence alignment of Tnik (top sequence (SEQ ID NO:34)) to NIK (bottom sequence (SEQ ID NO:35)). Identical residues are shaded with black and homologous residues are shaded with gray and dotted below. The three alternatively spliced exons are marked by (−) above the Tnik sequence (SEQ ID NO:34). residues are shaded with black and homologous residues are shaded with gray and dotted below. The three alternatively spliced exons are marked by (−) above the Tnik sequence.

FIG. 2 shows a picture of a gel showing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of Tnik fragments from human spleen, heart and brain cDNAs. Oligos corresponding to nucleotides 1264-1281 and nucleotides 2427-2410 were used as primers.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of NIK and Tnik spliced isoforms. The percent homology between Tnik and NIK in individual domains is indicated. The three alternatively spliced exons are hatched and the amino acid boundaries corresponding to the three exons are indicated.

FIG. 4 shows a picture of a gel with the results of an in vitro kinase assay of Tnik. Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plates were transiently transfected with 3 μg of HA-Tnik(WT) (lanes 1 and 3) or HA-Tnik(KM) (lane 2 and 4). Expressed proteins were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA antibody. Immune complexes were subjected to in vitro kinase assay (lanes 1, 2) or immunoblotting with an anti-HA antibody (lanes 3, 4).

FIG. 5 shows a picture of the results of expression of Tnik message in human tissues. FIG. 5A: Human multi-tissue Northern blot (Clontech) was hybridized with a probe corresponding to nts 1264-2427 in the Tnik coding region. FIG. 5B: The same blot was stripped and re-blotted with an β-actin probe to control for the amount of mRNA on each lane.

FIG. 6 shows the interaction of Tnik with Traf2 by a gel showing co-immunoprecipitation of Tnik with endogenous Traf2. Phoenix-A cells in 100 mm dishes were transiently transfected with 10 μg of vector (lane 1) or HA-Tnik (lane 2). Top panel: Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA mAb and blotted with an anti-Traf2 pAb. Middle and bottom panels: One tenth of cell lysates were blotted with an anti-HA mAb or an anti-Traf2 pAb to control for protein expression.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of Tnik mutants.

FIGS. 8A-8C show results which show the mapping of domains on Tnik that mediated its interaction with Traf2. FLAG-Traf2 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with HA-Tnik mutants. Top panel (FIG. 8A): Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA pAb and blotted with an anti-FLAG mAb. Middle and bottom panels (FIGS. 8B and 8C): Cell lysates were immunoblotted with an anti-FLAG mAb or an anti-HA mAb.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of Traf2 mutants.

FIG. 10 shows the mapping of domains on Traf2 that mediated its interaction with Tnik. HA-Tnik was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with FLAG-Traf2 mutants and the cell lysates were analyzed as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the results showing interaction of Tnik with NCK by co-immunoprecipitation of Tnik with endogenous NCK. Phoenix-A cells in 100 mm dishes were transiently transfected with 10 μg of vector (lane 1) or HA-Tnik (lane 2). Top panel: Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA pAb and blotted with an anti-NCK mAb. Middle and bottom panels: One tenth of cell lysates were blotted with an anti-NCK mAb or an anti-HA mAb.

FIG. 12 shows the mapping of domains on Tnik that mediated its interaction with NCK. FLAG-NCK was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with HA-Tnik mutants. Top panel: Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA pAb and blotted with an anti-FLAG mAb. Middle and bottom panels: Cell lysates were immunoblotted with an anti-FLAG mAb or an anti-HA mAb to control for protein expression.

FIG. 13 shows the results showing specific activation of the JNK pathway by Tnik by overexpression of Tnik activated JNK2. 1 μg of Myc-JNK2 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plates with 3 μg of vector (lanes 1-2), 1, 2 or 3 μg of Tnik plus 2, 1 or 0 μg of vector (lanes 3-5), or 1 μg of Traf2 plus 2 μg of vector (lane 6). Top panel: Myc-JNK2 was immunoprecipitated from cell lysates by an anti-Myc mAb and subjected to an in vitro kinase assay with GST-cJun as an exogenous substrate. In lane 2, 100 ng/ml of TNFα was added for 15 min before the cells were lysed. Bottom panel: One tenth of cell lysates were immunoblotted with an anti-Myc mAb to control for expression levels of Myc-JNK2.

FIG. 14 shows overexpression of Tnik did not activate extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1. 1 μg of Myc-ERK1 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plates with 3 μg of vector (lane 1), 1, 2 or 3 μg of Tnik plus 2, 1 or 0 μg of vector (lanes 2-4), or 0.05 μg of MEKK1 plus 2.95 μg of vector (lane 5). Top panel: Myc-ERK1 was immunoprecipitated from cell lysates by an anti-Myc mAb and subjected to an in vitro kinase assay with MBP as an exogenous substrate. Bottom panel: One tenth of the cell lysates were immunoblotted with an anti-Myc mAb to control for expression levels of Myc-ERK1.

FIG. 15 shows overexpression of Tnik did not activate p38. 1 μg of FLAG-p38 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plates with 3 μg of vector (lane 1), 1, 2 or 3 μg of Tnik plus 2, 1 or 0 μg of vector (lanes 2-4), or 0.05 μg of MEKK1 plus 2.95 μg of vector (lane 5). Top panel: FLAG-p38 was immunoprecipitated from cell lysates by an anti-FLAG mAb and subjected to an in vitro kinase assay with GST-ATF2 as an exogenous substrate. Bottom panel: One tenth of cell lysates were immunoblotted with an anti-FLAG mAb to control for expression levels of FLAG-p38.

FIG. 16 shows that the C-terminal GCKH (germinal center kinase homology region) domain of Tnik is both necessary and sufficient for JNK activation. 1 μg of Myc-JNK2 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plates with 3 μg of vector (lanes 1, 2), 3 μg of the indicated Tnik mutants (lanes 3-9) or 0.05 μg of MEKK1 plus 2.95 μg of vector (lane 10). In vitro kinase assay and immunoblotting were performed as described in A. These experiments were repeated at least three times.

FIG. 17 shows cytoskeletal regulation and inhibition of cell spreading by TNIK 0.4 μg of GFP was cotransfected into Phoenix A cells with 3 μg of vector, Tnik(WT), Tnik(KM), Tnik (C1) or JNK2. 24 hours following transfection, cells were examined using fluorescence microscopy.

FIG. 18 shows the results showing Tnik overexpression did not induce apoptosis. 3 μg of Vector, Tnik(VT), Tnik(KM) or RIP was transfected into Phoenix-A cells for 24 hours. Transfected cells were stained with Hoechst 33258 and examined under fluorescent microscope.

FIG. 19 shows a picture of a gel showing Tnik overexpression induced redistribution of actin. Phoenix-A cells were transfected with 3 μg of vector, HA-Tnik(WT) or HA-Tnik(KM) and lysed with 1% Triton X-100 as described in EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES. Top panel: Cell lysates (4×10⁴cells) from either Triton X-100 soluble (lanes 1-3) or insoluble (lanes 4-6) fractions were resolved on SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with an anti-β-actin mAb. Bottom panel: Total cell lysates were blotted with an anti-HA mAb to control for expression levels of Tnik(WT) and Tnik(KM).

FIG. 20 shows a picture of a gel showing phosphorylation of Gelsolin by Tnik in vitro. Phoenix-A cells were transiently transfected with 3 μg of HA-Tnik(WT) (lane 1) or HA-Tnik(KM) (lane 2). Cell lysates were subjected to anti-HA immunoprecipitation and an in vitro kinase assay using Gelsolin (Sigma) as an exogenous substrate.

FIG. 21 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 1.

FIG. 22 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 2.

FIG. 23 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 3.

FIG. 24 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 4.

FIG. 25 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 5.

FIG. 26 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 6.

FIG. 27 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 7.

FIG. 28 shows the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, encoding a cell cycle protein, Tnik, isoform 8.

FIG. 29 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9, of Tnik, isoform 2.

FIG. 30 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, of Tnik, isoform 3.

FIG. 31 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, of Tnik, isoform 4.

FIG. 32 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, of Tnik, isoform 5.

FIG. 33 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.13, of Tnik, isoform 6.

FIG. 34 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, of Tnik, isoform 7.

FIG. 35 shows the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, of Tnik, isoform 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids which encode such proteins. Also provided are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capable of modulating the cell cycle. The method comprises combining a cell cycle protein and a candidate bioactive agent and a cell or a population of cells, and determining the effect on the cell in the presence and absence of the candidate agent. Other screening assays including binding assays are also provided herein as described below. Therapeutics for regulating or modulating the cell cycle are also provided and described herein. Diagnostics, as further described below, are also provided herein.

A cell cycle protein of the present invention may be identified in several ways. “Protein” in this sense includes proteins, polypeptides, and peptides. The cell cycle proteins of the invention fall into two general classes: proteins that are completely novel, i.e. are not part of a public database as of the time of discovery, although they may have homology to either known proteins or peptides encoded by expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Alternatively, the cell cycle proteins are known proteins, but that were not known to be involved in the cell cycle; i.e. they are identified herein as having a novel biological function. Accordingly, a cell cycle protein may be initially identified by its association with a protein known to be involved in the cell cycle. Wherein the cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids are novel, compositions and methods of use are provided herein. In the case that the cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids were known but not known to be involved in cell cycle activity as described herein, methods of use, i.e. functional screens, are provided.

In one embodiment provided herein, a cell cycle protein as defined herein has one or more of the following characteristics: binding to Traf, preferably Traf2, binding to Nck; and cell cycle protein activity as described herein.

In one embodiment, the cell cycle protein is termed Tnik herein. One or more of the characteristics described below can apply to any of the cell cycle proteins provided herein, however, Tnik is used for illustrative purposes. Tnik is a member of the germinal center kinases. Preferably, Tnik binds to Traf or Nck. Preferably, the Traf protein is Traf2. In a preferred embodiment, Tnik binds to Traf and Nck.

Regarding Traf, regulation of CD40 signaling through multiple Traf binding sites and Traf hetero-oligomerization is described in, e.g., Pullen, et al., Biochemistry, 37(34):11836-45 (1998); Pullen, et al., J Biol Chem., 274(20):14246-54 (1999); Ishida, et al., PNAS USA, 93(18):9437-42 (1996); Kashiwada, et al., J Exp Med, 187(2):237-44(1998). Additionally, cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins, kinases, and carcinomas are described in Muzio, et al., J Dent Res., 78(7):1345-53 (1999); Jimenez, et al., Nature, 400(6739):81-83 (1999); and Hsieh, Int J Oncol., 15(2):245-252 (1999). Moreover, Traf2 mediated activation of NF-kappa B by TNF receptor 2 and CD40 has been reported on. Rothe, et al., Science, 269(5229):1424-7 (1995). Regarding Traf2, also see, Takeuchi, et al., JBC, 271(33):19935-42 (1996) and Natoli, et al., J Biol Chem, 272(42):26079-82 (1997).

Regarding Nck, Nck has been reported on. For example, it has been reported that the adaptor protein Nck links receptor tyrosine kinases with the serine-threonine kinase Pak1. Nck is an adaptor protein composed of a single SH2 domain and three SH3 domains. Upon growth factor stimulation, Nck is recruited to receptor tyrosine kinases via its SH2 domain, probably initiating one or more signaling cascades. Galisteo, et al., J Biol Chem, 271(35):20997-1000 (1996). Also see, Chen, et al., J Biol Chem., 273(39):25171-8 (1998) which reports on Nck family genes, chromosomal localization and expression.

As indicated below, Tnik shares homology with fragments of clone K1AA0551, GENBANK Accession number AB011123. Preferred embodiments of Tnik herein include the full length protein. In another preferred embodiment, Tnik comprises one or more cell cycle bioactivities as described below. In yet other embodiments wherein bioactivities are not required, Tnik excludes portions of the sequence which overlap with K1AA0551.

Thus, in some embodiments, the portions of homology with K1AA0551 may be excluded. For example, in Tnik Isoform number 1, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 1 at about position number 82 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 4083 on Tnik. In Tnik isoform number 2, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 1338 at about position number 1332 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3996 on Tnik. In Tnik Isoform number 3, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 1691 at about position number 1607 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3918 on Tnik. In the Tnik isoform number 4, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 1 at about position number 82 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 2301 at about position number 2382 on Tnik. In Tnik isoform number 5, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 1691 at about position number 1520 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3831 on Tnik. In Tnik isoform number 6, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 2326 at about position number 2296 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3972 on Tnik. In Tnik isoform number 7, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 2326 at about position number 2218 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3894 on Tnik. In Tnik isoform number 8, the KIAA5501 fragment begins about with base pair number 2326 at about position number 2131 on Tnik and ends about with base pair number 4002 at about position number 3807 on Tnik.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle protein has a N-terminal kinase domain corresponding approximately to positions 1-305 of Tnik shown in the figures, an intermediate region, corresponding approximately to amino acid positions 306 through 1017 of Tnik as shown in the figures, and a C-terminal germinal center kinase homology region corresponding approximately to amino acids 1018 through 1360 of Tnik as shown in the figures. In one embodiment herein, the cell cycle protein consists essentially of one or more of the N-terminal kinase domain, intermediate region, and C-terminal germinal center kinase homology region.

In one embodiment, the cell cycle protein has one or more of the following characteristics: an intermediate region which shares greater than 40%, more preferably greater than 65%, more preferably, greater than 75%, more preferably greater than 85%, more preferably greater than 95% homology to the corresponding amino acids as shown in FIG. 1 or encoded by any of the nucleic acids of FIGS. 21-28; an N-terminal kinase domain of the cell cycle protein which shares greater than 90%, more preferably 95% homology to the corresponding amino acids as shown in FIG. 1 or encoded by any one of the nucleic acids of FIGS. 21-28; a C-terminal genminal center kinase homology region which has greater than 90%, more preferably 95% homology to the corresponding amino acids as shown in any one of FIGS. 1 and 29-35. The embodiments provided herein explicitly include any combination of these characteristics. Moreover, the homology of the cell cycle protein may be greater in one region corresponding to one or more of the isoforms but not the other.

The homology to, for example, NIK can be found as described below. In one embodiment, homology is found using the following database and parameters homology. The method used to generate 90% and 40% homology is: Program: DNA Star Windows 32 version 3.18; Method: Jotun Hein; Multiple Alignment Parameters: Gap Penalty=11, Gap Length Penalty=3; Pairwise Alignment Parameters: K tuple=2.

In a preferred embodiment, a protein is a “cell cycle protein” as defined herein if the overall sequence identity of the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 for Tnik (SEQ ID NO:34), or FIG. 29 (SEQ ID NO:9), 30 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 31 (SEQ ID NO:I 1), 32 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 33 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 34 (SEQ ID NO: 14) or 35 (SEQ ID NO: 15) is preferably greater than about 75%, more preferably greater than about 80%, even more preferably greater than about 85% and most preferably greater than 90%. In some embodiments the sequence identity will be as high as about 93 to 95 or 98%.

In a preferred embodiment, a protein is a “cell cycle protein” as defined herein if the overall sequence identity of the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 for Tnik, or FIGS. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35 is preferably greater than about 75%, more preferably greater than about 80%, even more preferably greater than about 85% and most preferably greater than 90%. In some embodiments the sequence identity will be as high as about 93 to 95 or 98%.

In another preferred embodiment, a cell cycle protein has an overall sequence similarity with the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 for Tnik (SEQ ID NO:34), or FIG. 29 (SEQ ID NO:9), 30 (SEQ ID NO:10), 31 (SEQ ID NO:11), 32 (SEQ ID NO:12), 33 (SEQ ID NO:13), 34 (SEQ ID NO:14) or 35 (SEQ ID NO:15), of greater than about 80%, more preferably greater than about 85%, even more preferably greater than about 90% and most preferably greater than 93%. In some embodiments the sequence identity will be as high as about 95 to 98 or 99%.

As is known in the art, a number of different programs can be used to identify whether a protein (or nucleic acid as discussed below) has sequence identity or similarity to a known sequence. Sequence identity and/or similarity is determined using standard techniques known in the art, including, but not limited to, the local sequence identity algorithm of Smith, et al., Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the sequence identity alignment algorithm of Needleman, et al., J. Mol. Biol., 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson, et al., PNAS USA, 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis.), the Best Fit sequence program described by Devereux, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 12:387-395 (1984), preferably using the default settings, or by inspection. Preferably, percent identity is calculated by FastDB based upon the following parameters: mismatch penalty of 1; gap penalty of 1; gap size penalty of 0.33; and joining penalty of 30, “Current Methods in Sequence Comparison and Analysis,” Macromolecule Sequencing and Synthesis, Selected Methods and Applications, pp 127-149 (1988), Alan R. Liss, Inc.

An example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments. It can also plot a tree showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng, et al., J. Mol. Evol., 35:351-360 (1987); the method is similar to that described by Higgins, et al., CABIOS, 5:151-153 (1989). Useful PILEUP parameters including a default gap weight of 3.00, a default gap length weight of 0.10, and weighted end gaps.

Another example of a useful algorithm is the BLAST algorithm, described in Altschul, et al., J. Mol. Biol,. 215:403-410, (1990) and Karlin, et al., PNAS USA, 90:5873-5787 (1993). A particularly useful BLAST program is the WU-BLAST-2 program which was obtained from Altschul, et al., Methods in Enzymology, 266:460-480 (1996). WU-BLAST-2 uses several search parameters, most of which are set to the default values. The adjustable pameters are set with the following values: overlap span=1, overlap fraction=0.125, word threshold (T)=11. The HSP S and HSP S2 parameters are dynamic values and are established by the program itself depending upon the composition of the particular sequence and composition of the particular database against which the sequence of interest is being searched; however, the values may be adjusted to increase sensitivity.

An additional useful algorithm is gapped BLAST as reported by Altschul, et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 25:3389-3402. Gapped BLAST uses BLOSUM-62 substitution scores; threshold T parameter set to 9; the two-hit method to trigger ungapped extensions; charges gap lengths of k a cost of 10+k; X_(u) set to 16, and X_(g) set to 40 for database search stage and to 67 for the output stage of the algorithms. Gapped alignments are triggered by a score corresponding to ˜22 bits.

A % amino acid sequence identity value is determined by the number of matching identical residues divided by the total number of residues of the “longer” sequence in the aligned region. The “longer” sequence is the one having the most actual residues in the aligned region (gaps introduced by WU-Blast-2 to maximize the alignment score are ignored).

In a similar manner, “percent (%) nucleic acid sequence identity” with respect to the coding sequence of the polypeptides identified herein is defined as the percentage of nucleotide residues in a candidate sequence that are identical with the nucleotide residues in the coding sequence of the cell cycle protein. A preferred method utilizes the BLASTN module of WU-BLAST-2 set to the default parameters, with overlap span and overlap fraction set to 1 and 0.125, respectively.

The alignment may include the introduction of gaps in the sequences to be aligned. In addition, for sequences which contain either more or fewer amino acids than the protein encoded by the sequences in the Figures, it is understood that in one embodiment, the percentage of sequence identity will be determined based on the number of identical amino acids in relation to the total number of amino acids. Thus, for example, sequence identity of sequences shorter than that shown in the Figure, as discussed below, will be determined using the number of amino acids in the shorter sequence, in one embodiment. In percent identity calculations relative weight is not assigned to various manifestations of sequence variation, such as, insertions, deletions, substitutions, etc.

In one embodiment, only identities are scored positively (+1) and all forms of sequence variation including gaps are assigned a value of “0”, which obviates the need for a weighted scale or parameters as described below for sequence similarity calculations. Percent sequence identity can be calculated, for example, by dividing the number of matching identical residues by the total number of residues of the “shorter” sequence in the aligned region and multiplying by 100. The “longer” sequence is the one having the most actual residues in the aligned region.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the sequences of the present invention may contain sequencing errors. That is, there may be incorrect nucleosides, frameshifts, unknown nucleosides, or other types of sequencing errors in any of the sequences; however, the correct sequences will fall within the homology and stringency definitions herein.

Cell cycle proteins of the present invention may be shorter or longer than the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid shown in the Figure. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, included within the definition of cell cycle proteins are portions or fragments of the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence provided herein. In one embodiment herein, fragments of cell cycle proteins are considered cell cycle proteins if a) they share at least one antigenic epitope; b) have at least the indicated sequence identity; c) and preferably have cell cycle biological activity as further defined herein. In some cases, where the sequence is used diagnostically, that is, when the presence or absence of cell cycle protein nucleic acid is determined, only the indicated sequence identity is required. The nucleic acids of the present invention may also be shorter or longer than the sequence in the Figure. The nucleic acid fragments include any portion of the nucleic acids provided herein which have a sequence not exactly previously identified; fragments having sequences with the indicated sequence identity to that portion not previously identified are provided in an embodiment herein.

In addition, as is more fully outlined below, cell cycle proteins can be made that are longer than those depicted in the Figure; for example, by the addition of epitope or purification tags, the addition of other fusion sequences, or the elucidation of additional coding and non-coding sequences. As described below, the fusion of a cell cycle peptide to a fluorescent peptide, such as Green Fluorescent Peptide (GFP), is particularly preferred.

Cell cycle proteins may also be identified as encoded by cell cycle nucleic acids which hybridize to the sequence depicted in the Figure, or the complement thereof, as outlined herein. Hybridization conditions are further described below.

In a preferred embodiment, when a cell cycle protein is to be used to generate antibodies, a cell cycle protein must share at least one epitope or determinant with the full length protein. By “epitope” or “determinant” herein is meant a portion of a protein which will generate and/or bind an antibody. Thus, in most instances, antibodies made to a smaller cell cycle protein will be able to bind to the full length protein. In a preferred embodiment, the epitope is unique; that is, antibodies generated to a unique epitope show little or no cross-reactivity. The term “antibody” includes antibody fragments, as are known in the art, including Fab Fab₂, single chain antibodies (Fv for example), chimeric antibodies, etc., either produced by the modification of whole antibodies or those synthesized de novo using recombinant DNA technologies.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies to a cell cycle protein are capable of reducing or eliminating the biological function of the cell cycle proteins described herein, as is described below. That is, the addition of anti-cell cycle protein antibodies (either polyclonal or preferably monoclonal) to cell cycle proteins (or cells containing cell cycle proteins) may reduce or eliminate the cell cycle activity. Generally, at least a 25% decrease in activity is preferred, with at least about 50% being particularly preferred and about a 95-100% decrease being especially preferred.

The cell cycle antibodies of the invention specifically bind to cell cycle proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies specifically bind to cell cycle proteins. By “specifically bind” herein is meant that the antibodies bind to the protein with a binding constant in the range of at least 10⁻⁴-10⁻⁶M⁻¹, with a preferred range being 10⁻⁷-10⁻⁹M⁻¹. Antibodies are further described below.

In the case of the nucleic acid, the overall sequence identity of the nucleic acid sequence is commensurate with amino acid sequence identity but takes into account the degeneracy in the genetic code and codon bias of different organisms. Accordingly, the nucleic acid sequence identity may be either lower or higher than that of the protein sequence. Thus the sequence identity of the nucleic acid sequence as compared to the nucleic acid sequence of the Figure is preferably greater than 75%, more preferably greater than about 80%, particularly greater than about 85% and most preferably greater than 90%. In some embodiments the sequence identity will be as high as about 93 to 95 or 98%.

In a preferred embodiment, a cell cycle nucleic acid encodes a cell cycle protein. As will be appreciated by those in the art, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, an extremely large number of nucleic acids may be made, all of which encode the cell cycle proteins of the present invention. Thus, having identified a particular amino acid sequence, those skilled in the art could make any number of different nucleic acids, by simply modifying the sequence of one or more codons in a way which does not change the amino acid sequence of the cell cycle protein.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is determined through hybridization studies. Thus, for example, nucleic acids which hybridize under high stringency to the nucleic acid sequence shown in the Figure, or its complement is considered a cell cycle nucleic acid. High stringency conditions are known in the art; see for example Maniatis, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d Edition, 1989, and Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, ed. Ausubel, et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Longer sequences hybridize specifically at higher temperatures. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes, “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid assays” (1993). Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5-10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength pH. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength, pH and nucleic acid concentration) at which 50% of the probes complementary to the target hybridize to the target sequence at equilibrium (as the target sequences are present in excess, at T_(m), 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0 sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M sodium ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short probes (e.g. 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g. greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide.

In another embodiment, less stringent hybridization conditions are used; for example, moderate or low stringency conditions may be used, as are known in the art, see Maniatis and Ausubel, supra, and Tijssen, supra.

The cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids of the present invention are preferably recombinant. As used herein and further defined below, “nucleic acid” may refer to either DNA or RNA, or molecules which contain both deoxy- and ribonucleotides. The nucleic acids include genomic DNA, cDNA and oligonucleotides including sense and anti-sense nucleic acids. Such nucleic acids may also contain modifications in the ribose-phosphate backbone to increase stability and half life of such molecules in physiological environments.

The nucleic acid may be double stranded, single stranded, or contain portions of both double stranded or single stranded sequence. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the depiction of a single strand (“Watson”) also defines the sequence of the other strand (“Crick”); thus the sequences depicted in the Figures also include the complement of the sequence. By the term “recombinant nucleic acid” herein is meant nucleic acid, originally formed in vitro, in general, by the manipulation of nucleic acid by endonucleases, in a form not normally found in nature. Thus an isolated cell cycle nucleic acid, in a linear form, or an expression vector formed in vitro by ligating DNA molecules that are not normally joined, are both considered recombinant for the purposes of this invention. It is understood that once a recombinant nucleic acid is made and reintroduced into a host cell or organism, it will replicate non-recombinantly, i.e. using the in vivo cellular machinery of the host cell rather than in vitro manipulations; however, such nucleic acids, once produced recombinantly, although subsequently replicated non-recombinantly, are still considered recombinant for the purposes of the invention.

Similarly, a “recombinant protein” is a protein made using recombinant techniques, i.e. through the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid as depicted above. A recombinant protein is distinguished from naturally occurring protein by at least one or more characteristics. For example, the protein may be isolated or purified away from some or all of the proteins and compounds with which it is normally associated in its wild type host, and thus may be substantially pure. For example, an isolated protein is unaccompanied by at least some of the material with which it is normally associated in its natural state, preferably constituting at least about 0.5%, more preferably at least about 5% by weight of the total protein in a given sample. A substantially pure protein comprises at least about 75% by weight of the total protein, with at least about 80% being preferred, and at least about 90% being particularly preferred. The definition includes the production of a cell cycle protein from one organism in a different organism or host cell. Alternatively, the protein may be made at a significantly higher concentration than is normally seen, through the use of a inducible promoter or high expression promoter, such that the protein is made at increased concentration levels. Alternatively, the protein may be in a form not normally found in nature, as in the addition of an epitope tag or amino acid substitutions, insertions and deletions, as discussed below.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides cell cycle protein variants. These variants fall into one or more of three classes: substitutional, insertional or deletional variants. These variants ordinarily are prepared by site specific mutagenesis of nucleotides in the DNA encoding a cell cycle protein, using cassette or PCR mutagenesis or other techniques well known in the art, to produce DNA encoding the variant, and thereafter expressing the DNA in recombinant cell culture as outlined above. However, variant cell cycle protein fragments having up to about 100-150 residues may be prepared by in vitro synthesis using established techniques. Amino acid sequence variants are characterized by the predetermined nature of the variation, a feature that sets them apart from naturally occurring alielic or interspecies variation of the cell cycle protein amino acid sequence. The variants typically exhibit the same qualitative biological activity as the naturally occurring analogue, although variants can also be selected which have modified characteristics as will be more fully outlined below.

While the site or region for introducing an amino acid sequence variation is predetermined, the mutation per se need not be predetermined. For example, in order to optimize the performance of a mutation at a given site, random mutagenesis may be conducted at the target codon or region and the expressed cell cycle variants screened for the optimal combination of desired activity. Techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA having a known sequence are well known, for example, M13 primer mutagenesis and PCR mutagenesis. Screening of the mutants is done using assays of cell cycle protein activities.

Amino acid substitutions are typically of single residues; insertions usually will be on the order of from about 1 to 20 amino acids, although considerably larger insertions may be tolerated. Deletions range from about 1 to about 20 residues, although in some cases deletions may be much larger.

Substitutions, deletions, insertions or any combination thereof may be used to arrive at a final derivative. Generally these changes are done on a few amino acids to minimize the alteration of the molecule. However, larger changes may be tolerated in certain circumstances. When small alterations in the characteristics of the cell cycle protein are desired, substitutions are generally made in accordance with the following chart:

CHART I Original Residue Exemplary Substitutions Ala Ser Arg Lys Asn Gln, His Asp Glu Cys Ser Gln Asn Glu Asp Gly Pro His Asn, Gln Ile Leu, Val Leu Ile, Val Lys Arg, Gln, Glu Met Leu, Ile Phe Met, Leu, Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Trp Tyr Tyr Trp, Phe Val Ile, Leu

Substantial changes in function or immunological identity are made by selecting substitutions that are less conservative than those shown in Chart I. For example, substitutions may be made which more significantly affect: the structure of the polypeptide backbone in the area of the alteration, for example the alpha-helical or beta-sheet structure; the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site; or the bulk of the side chain. The substitutions which in general are expected to produce the greatest changes in the polypeptide's properties are those in which (a) a hydrophilic residue, e.g. seryl or threonyl, is substituted for (or by) a hydrophobic residue, e.g. leucyl, isoleucyl, phenylalanyl, valyl or alanyl; (b) a cysteine or proline is substituted for (or by) any other residue; (c) a residue having an electropositive side chain, e.g. lysyl, arginyl, or histidyl, is substituted for (or by) an electronegative residue, e.g. glutamyl or aspartyl; or (d) a residue having a bulky side chain, e.g. phenylalanine, is substituted for (or by) one not having a side chain, e.g. glycine.

The variants typically exhibit the same qualitative biological activity and will elicit the same immune response as the naturally-occurring analogue, although variants also are selected to modify the characteristics of the cell cycle proteins as needed. Alternatively, the variant may be designed such that the biological activity of the cell cycle protein is altered. For example, glycosylation sites may be altered or removed.

Covalent modifications of cell cycle polypeptides are included within the scope of this invention. One type of covalent modification includes reacting targeted amino acid residues of a cell cycle polypeptide with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selected side chains or the N- or C-terminal residues of a cell cycle polypeptide. Derivatization with bifunctional agents is useful, for instance, for crosslinking cell cycle to a water-insoluble support matrix or surface for use in the method for purifying anti-cell cycle antibodies or screening assays, as is more fully described below. Commonly used crosslinking agents include, e.g., 1,1-bis(diazoacetyl)-2-phenylethane, glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, for example, esters with 4-azido-salicylic acid, homobifunctional imidoesters, including disuccinimidyl esters such as 3,3′-dithiobis-(succinimidylpropionate), bifunctional maleimides such as bis-N-maleimido-1,8-octane and agents such as methyl-3-[(p-azidophenyl)dithio]propioimidate.

Other modifications include deamidation of glutaminyl and asparaginyl residues to the corresponding glutamyl and aspartyl residues, respectively, hydroxylation of proline and lysine, phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of seryl or threonyl residues, methylation of the “-amino groups of lysine, arginine, and histidine side chains [T. E. Creighton, Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties, W.H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, pp. 79-86 (1983)], acetylation of the N-terminal amine, and amidation of any C-terminal carboxyl group.

Another type of covalent modification of the cell cycle polypeptide included within the scope of this invention comprises altering the native glycosylation pattern of the polypeptide. “Altering the native glycosylation pattern” is intended for purposes herein to mean deleting one or more carbohydrate moieties found in native sequence cell cycle polypeptide, and/or adding one or more glycosylation sites that are not present in the native sequence cell cycle polypeptide.

Addition of glycosylation sites to cell cycle polypeptides may be accomplished by altering the amino acid sequence thereof. The alteration may be made, for example, by the addition of, or substitution by, one or more serine or threonine residues to the native sequence cell cycle polypeptide (for O-linked glycosylation sites). The cell cycle amino acid sequence may optionally be altered through changes at the DNA level, particularly by mutating the DNA encoding the cell cycle polypeptide at preselected bases such that codons are generated that will translate into the desired amino acids.

Another means of increasing the number of carbohydrate moieties on the cell cycle polypeptide is by chemical or enzymatic coupling of glycosides to the polypeptide. Such methods are described in the art, e.g., in WO 87/05330 published Sep. 11, 1987, and in Aplin and Wriston, CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem., pp. 259-306 (1981).

Removal of carbohydrate moieties present on the cell cycle polypeptide may be accomplished chemically or enzymatically or by mutational substitution of codons encoding for amino acid residues that serve as targets for glycosylation. Chemical deglycosylation techniques are known in the art and described, for instance, by Hakimuddin, et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 259:52 (1987) and by Edge, et al., Anal. Biochem., 118:131 (1981). Enzymatic cleavage of carbohydrate moieties on polypeptides can be achieved by the use of a variety of endo-and exo-glycosidases as described by Thotakura, et al., Meth. Enzymol., 138:350 (1987).

Another type of covalent modification of cell cycle comprises linking the cell cycle polypeptide to one of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417; 4,791,192 or 4,179,337.

Cell cycle polypeptides of the present invention may also be modified in a way to form chimeric molecules comprising a cell cycle polypeptide fused to another, heterologous polypeptide or amino acid sequence. In one embodiment, such a chimeric molecule comprises a fusion of a cell cycle polypeptide with a tag polypeptide which provides an epitope to which an anti-tag antibody can selectively bind. The epitope tag is generally placed at the amino-or carboxyl-terminus of the cell cycle polypeptide. The presence of such epitope-tagged forms of a cell cycle polypeptide can be detected using an antibody against the tag polypeptide. Also, provision of the epitope tag enables the cell cycle polypeptide to be readily purified by affinity purification using an anti-tag antibody or another type of affinity matrix that binds to the epitope tag. In an alternative embodiment, the chimeric molecule may comprise a fusion of a cell cycle polypeptide with an immunoglobulin or a particular region of an immunoglobulin. For a bivalent form of the chimeric molecule, such a fusion could be to the Fc region of an IgG molecule as discussed further below.

Various tag polypeptides and their respective antibodies are well known in the art. Examples include poly-histidine (poly-his) or poly-histidine-glycine (poly-his-gly) tags; the flu HA tag polypeptide and its antibody 12CA5 [Field, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8:2159-2165 (1988)]; the c-myc tag and the 8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9E10 antibodies thereto [Evan, et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 5:3610-3616 (1985)]; and the Herpes Simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD) tag and its antibody [Paborsky, et al., Protein Engineering, 3(6):547-553 (1990)]. Other tag polypeptides include the Flag-peptide [Hopp, et al., Bio Technology, 6:1204-1210 (1988)]; the KT3 epitope peptide [Martin, et al., Science, 255:192-194 (1992)]; tubulin epitope peptide [Skinner, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 266:15163-15166 (1991)]; and the T7 gene 10 protein peptide tag [Lutz-Freyermuth, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6393-6397 (1990)].

In an embodiment herein, cell cycle proteins of the cell cycle family and cell cycle proteins from other organisms are cloned and expressed as outlined below. Thus, probe or degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer sequences may be used to find other related cell cycle proteins from humans or other organisms. As will be appreciated by those in the art, particularly useful probe and/or PCR primer sequences include the unique areas of the cell cycle nucleic acid sequence. As is generally known in the art, preferred PCR primers are from about 15 to about 35 nucleotides in length, with-from about 20 to about 30 being preferred, and may contain inosine as needed. The conditions for the PCR reaction are well known in the art. It is therefore also understood that provided along with the sequences in the sequences listed herein are portions of those sequences, wherein unique portions of 15 nucleotides or more are particularly preferred. The skilled artisan can routinely synthesize or cut a nucleotide sequence to the desired length.

Once isolated from its natural source, e.g., contained within a plasmid or other vector or excised therefrom as a linear nucleic acid segment, the recombinant cell cycle nucleic acid can be further-used as a probe to identify and isolate other cell cycle nucleic acids. It can also be used as a “precursor” nucleic acid to make modified or variant cell cycle nucleic acids and proteins.

Using the nucleic acids of the present invention which encode a cell cycle protein, a variety of expression vectors are made. The expression vectors may be either self-replicating extrachromosomal vectors or vectors which integrate into a host genome. Generally, these expression vectors include transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleic acid operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the cell cycle protein. The term “control sequences” refers to DNA sequences necessary for the expression of an operably linked coding sequence in a particular host organism. The control sequences that are suitable for prokaryotes, for example, include a promoter, optionally an operator sequence, and a ribosome binding site. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, polyadenylation signals, and enhancers.

Nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation. As another example, operably linked refers to DNA sequences linked so as to be contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice. The transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleic acid will generally be appropriate to the host cell used to express the cell cycle protein; for example, transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleic acid sequences from Bacillus are preferably used to express the cell cycle protein in Bacillus. Numerous types of appropriate expression vectors, and suitable regulatory sequences are known in the art for a variety of host cells.

In general, the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences may include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, ribosomal binding sites, transcriptional start and stop sequences, translational start and stop sequences, and enhancer or activator sequences. In a preferred embodiment, the regulatory sequences include a promoter and transcriptional start and stop sequences.

Promoter sequences encode either constitutive or inducible promoters. The promoters may be either naturally occurring promoters or hybrid promoters. Hybrid promoters, which combine elements of more than one promoter, are also known in the art, and are useful in the present invention.

In addition, the expression vector may comprise additional elements. For example, the expression vector may have two replication systems, thus allowing it to be maintained in two organisms, for example in mammalian or insect cells for expression and in a procaryotic host for cloning and amplification. Furthermore, for integrating expression vectors, the expression vector contains at least one sequence homologous to the host cell genome, and preferably two homologous sequences which flank the expression construct. The integrating vector may be directed to a specific locus in the host cell by selecting the appropriate homologous sequence for inclusion in the vector. Constructs for integrating vectors are well known in the art.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the expression vector contains a selectable marker gene to allow the selection of transformed host cells. Selection genes are well known in the art and will vary with the host cell used.

A preferred expression vector system is a retroviral vector system such as is generally described in PCT/US97/01019 and PCT/US97/01048, both of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

Cell cycle proteins of the present invention are produced by culturing a host cell transformed with an expression vector containing nucleic acid encoding a cell cycle protein, under the appropriate conditions to induce or cause expression of the cell cycle protein. The conditions appropriate for cell cycle protein expression will vary with the choice of the expression vector and the host cell, and will be easily ascertained by one skilled in the art through routine experimentation. For example, the use of constitutive promoters in the expression vector will require optimizing the growth and proliferation of the host cell, while the use of an inducible promoter requires the appropriate growth conditions for induction. In addition, in some embodiments, the timing of the harvest is important. For example, the baculoviral systems used in insect cell expression are lytic viruses, and thus harvest time selection can be crucial for product yield.

Appropriate host cells include yeast, bacteria, archebacteria, fungi, and insect and animal cells, including mammalian cells. Of particular interest are Drosophila melangaster cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeasts, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, SF9 cells, C129 cells, 293 cells, Neurospora, BHK, CHO, COS, and HeLa cells, fibroblasts, Schwanoma cell lines, immortalized mammalian myeloid and lymphoid cell lines, tumor lines.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle proteins are expressed in mammalian cells. Mammalian expression systems are also known in the art, and include retroviral systems. A mammalian promoter is any DNA sequence capable of binding mammalian RNA polymerase and initiating the downstream (3′) transcription of a coding sequence for cell cycle protein into mRNA. A promoter will have a transcription initiating region, which is usually placed proximal to the 5′ end of the coding sequence, and a TATA box, using a located 25-30 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site. The TATA box is thought to direct RNA polymerase II to begin RNA synthesis at the correct site. A mammalian promoter will also contain an upstream promoter element (enhancer element), typically located within 100 to 200 base pairs upstream of the TATA box. An upstream promoter element determines the rate at which transcription is initiated and can act in either orientation. Of particular use as mammalian promoters are the promoters from mammalian viral genes, since the viral genes are often highly expressed and have a broad host range. Examples include the SV40 early promoter, mouse mammary tumor virus LTR promoter, adenovirus major late promoter, herpes simplex virus promoter, and the CMV promoter.

Typically, transcription termination and polyadenylation sequences recognized by mammalian cells are regulatory regions located 3′ to the translation stop codon and thus, together with the promoter elements, flank the coding sequence. The 3′ terminus of the mature mRNA is formed by site-specific post-translational cleavage and polyadenylation. Examples of transcription terminator and polyadenlytion signals include those derived form SV40.

The methods of introducing exogenous nucleic acid into mammalian hosts, as well as other hosts, is well known in the art, and will vary with the host cell used. Techniques include dextran-mediated transfection, calcium phosphate precipitation, polybrene mediated transfection, protoplast fusion, electroporation, viral infection, encapsulation of the polynucleotide(s) in liposomes, and direct microinjection of the DNA into nuclei.

In a preferred embodiment, cell cycle proteins are expressed in bacterial systems. Bacterial expression systems are well known in the art.

A suitable bacterial promoter is any nucleic acid sequence capable of binding bacterial RNA polymerase and initiating the downstream (3′) transcription of the coding sequence of cell cycle protein into mRNA. A bacterial promoter has a transcription initiation region which is usually placed proximal to the 5′ end of the coding sequence. This transcription initiation region typically includes an RNA polymerase binding site and a transcription initiation site. Sequences encoding metabolic pathway enzymes provide particularly useful promoter sequences. Examples include promoter sequences derived from sugar metabolizing enzymes, such as galactose, lactose and maltose, and sequences derived from biosynthetic enzymes such as tryptophan. Promoters from bacteriophage may also be used and are known in the art. In addition, synthetic promoters and hybrid promoters are also useful; for example, the tac promoter is a hybrid of the tip and lac promoter sequences. Furthermore, a bacterial promoter can include naturally occurring promoters of non-bacterial origin that have the ability to bind bacterial RNA polymerase and initiate transcription.

In addition to a functioning promoter sequence, an efficient ribosome binding site is desirable. In E. coli, the ribosome binding site is called the Shine-Delgarno (SD) sequence and includes an initiation codon and a sequence 3-9 nucleotides in length located 3-11 nucleotides upstream of the initiation codon.

The expression vector may also include a signal peptide sequence that provides for secretion of the cell cycle protein in bacteria. The signal sequence typically encodes a signal peptide comprised of hydrophobic amino acids which direct the secretion of the protein from the cell, as is well known in the art. The protein is either secreted into the growth media (gram-positive bacteria) or into the periplasmic space, located between the inner and outer membrane of the cell (gram-negative bacteria).

The bacterial expression vector may also include a selectable marker gene to allow for the selection of bacterial strains that have been transformed. Suitable selection genes include genes which render the bacteria resistant to drugs such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, kanamycin, neomycin and tetracycline. Selectable markers also include biosynthetic genes, such as those in the histidine, tryptophan and leucine biosynthetic pathways.

These components are assembled into expression vectors. Expression vectors for bacteria are well known in the art, and include vectors for Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Streptococcus cremoris, and Streptococcus lividans, among others.

The bacterial expression vectors are transformed into bacterial host cells using techniques well known in the art, such as calcium chloride treatment, electroporation, and others.

In one embodiment, cell cycle proteins are produced in insect cells. Expression vectors for the transformation of insect cells, and in particular, baculovirus-based expression vectors, are well known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, cell cycle protein is produced in yeast cells. Yeast expression systems are well known in the art, and include expression vectors for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and C. maltosa, Hansenula polymorpha, Kluyveromyces fragilis and K. lactis, Pichia guillerimondii and P. pastoris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Yarrowia lipolytica. Preferred promoter sequences for expression in yeast include the inducible GAL1,10 promoter, the promoters from alcohol dehydrogenase, enolase, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, 3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, and the acid phosphatase gene. Yeast selectable markers include ADE2, HIS4, LEU2, TRP1, and ALG7, which confers resistance to tunicamycin; the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, which confers resistance to G418; and the CUP1 gene, which allows yeast to grow in the presence of copper ions.

The cell cycle protein may also be made as a fusion protein, using techniques well known in the art. Thus, for example, for the creation of monoclonal antibodies, if the desired epitope is small, the cell cycle protein may be fused to a carrier protein to form an immunogen. Alternatively, the cell cycle protein may be made as a fusion protein to increase expression, or for other reasons. For example, when the cell cycle protein is a cell cycle peptide, the nucleic acid encoding the peptide may be linked to other nucleic acid for expression purposes. Similarly, cell cycle proteins of the invention can be linked to protein labels, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP), red fluorescent protein (RFP), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), etc.

In one embodiment, the cell cycle nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies of the invention are labeled. By “labeled” herein is meant that a compound has at least one element, isotope or chemical compound attached to enable the detection of the compound. In general, labels fall into three classes: a) isotopic labels, which may be radioactive or heavy isotopes; b) immune labels, which may be antibodies or antigens; and c) colored or fluorescent dyes. The labels may be incorporated into the compound at any position.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle protein is purified or isolated after expression. Cell cycle proteins may be isolated or purified in a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art depending on what other components are present in the sample. Standard purification methods include electrophoretic, molecular, immunological and chromatographic techniques, including ion exchange, hydrophobic, affinity, and reverse-phase HPLC chromatography, and chromatofocusing. For example, the cell cycle protein may be purified using a standard anti-cell cycle antibody column. Ultrafiltration and diafiltration techniques, in conjunction with protein concentration, are also useful. For general guidance in suitable purification techniques, see Scopes, R., Protein Purification, Springer-Verlag, NY (1982). The degree of purification necessary will vary depending on the use of the cell cycle protein. In some instances no purification will be necessary.

Once expressed and purified if necessary, the cell cycle proteins and nucleic acids are useful in a number of applications.

The nucleotide sequences (or their complement) encoding cell cycle proteins have various applications in the art of molecular biology, including uses as hybridization probes, in chromosome and gene mapping and in the generation of anti-sense RNA and DNA. Cell cycle protein nucleic acid will also be useful for the preparation of cell cycle proteins by the recombinant techniques described herein.

The full-length native sequence cell cycle protein gene, or portions thereof, may be used as hybridization probes for a cDNA library to isolate other genes (for instance, those encoding naturally-occurring variants of cell cycle protein or cell cycle protein from other species) which have a desired sequence identity to the cell cycle protein coding sequence. Optionally, the length of the probes will be about 20 to about 50 bases. The hybridization probes may be derived from the nucleotide sequences herein or from genomic sequences including promoters, enhancer elements and introns of native sequences as provided herein. By way of example, a screening method will comprise isolating the coding region of the cell cycle protein gene using the known DNA sequence to synthesize a selected probe of about 40 bases. Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety of labels, including radionucleotides such as ³²p or ³⁵S, or enzymatic labels such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidin/biotin coupling systems. Labeled probes having a sequence complementary to that of the cell cycle protein gene of the present invention can be used to screen libraries of human cDNA, genomic DNA or mRNA to determine which members of such libraries the probe hybridizes.

Nucleotide sequences encoding a cell cycle protein can also be used to construct hybridization probes for mapping the gene which encodes that cell cycle protein and for the genetic analysis of individuals with genetic disorders. The nucleotide sequences provided herein may be mapped to a chromosome and specific regions of a chromosome using known techniques, such as in situ hybridization, linkage analysis against known chromosomal markers, and hybridization screening with libraries.

Nucleic acids which encode cell cycle protein or its modified forms can also be used to generate either transgenic animals or “knock out” animals which, in turn, are useful in the development and screening of therapeutically useful reagents. A transgenic animal (e.g., a mouse or rat) is an animal having cells that contain a transgene, which transgene was introduced into the animal or an ancestor of the animal at a prenatal, e.g., an embryonic stage. A transgene is a DNA which is integrated into the genome of a cell from which a transgenic animal develops. In one embodiment, cDNA encoding a cell cycle protein can be used to clone genomic DNA encoding a cell cycle protein in accordance with established techniques and the genomic sequences used to generate transgenic animals that contain cells which express the desired DNA. Methods for generating transgenic animals, particularly animals such as mice or rats, have become conventional in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,736,866 and 4,870,009. Typically, particular cells would be targeted for the cell cycle protein transgene incorporation with tissue-specific enhancers. Transgenic animals that include a copy of a transgene encoding a cell cycle protein introduced into the germ line of the animal at an embryonic stage can be used to examine the effect of increased expression of the desired nucleic acid. Such animals can be used as tester animals for reagents thought to confer protection from, for example, pathological conditions associated with its overexpression. In accordance with this facet of the invention, an animal is treated with the reagent and a reduced incidence of the pathological condition, compared to untreated animals bearing the transgene, would indicate a potential therapeutic intervention for the pathological condition.

Alternatively, non-human homologues of the cell cycle protein can be used to construct a cell cycle protein “knock out” animal which has a defective or altered gene encoding a cell cycle protein as a result of homologous recombination between the endogenous gene encoding a cell cycle protein and altered genomic DNA encoding a cell cycle protein introduced into an embryonic cell of the animal. For example, cDNA encoding a cell cycle protein can be used to clone genomic DNA encoding a cell cycle protein in accordance with established techniques. A portion of the genomic DNA encoding a cell cycle protein can be deleted or replaced with another gene, such as a gene encoding a selectable marker which can be used to monitor integration. Typically, several kilobases of unaltered flanking DNA (both at the 5′ and 3′ ends) are included in the vector [see e.g., Thomas, et al., Cell, 51:503 (1987) for a description of homologous recombination vectors]. The vector is introduced into an embryonic stem cell line (e.g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introduced DNA has homologously recombined with the endogenous DNA are selected [see e.g., Li, et al., Cell, 69:915 (1992)]. The selected cells are then injected into a blastocyst of an animal (e.g., a mouse or rat) to form aggregation chimeras [see e.g., Bradley, in Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, E. J. Robertson, ed. (IRL, Oxford, 1987), pp. 113-152]. A chimeric embryo can then be implanted into a suitable pseudopregnant female foster animal and the embryo brought to term to create a “knock out” animal. Progeny harboring the homologously recombined DNA in their germ cells can be identified by standard techniques and used to breed animals in which all cells of the animal contain the homologously recombined DNA. Knockout animals can be characterized for instance, for their ability to defend against certain pathological conditions and for their development of pathological conditions due to absence of the cell cycle protein.

It is understood that the models described herein can be varied. For example, “knock-in” models can be formed, or the models can be cell-based rather than animal models.

Nucleic acid encoding the cell cycle polypeptides, antagonists or agonists may also be used in gene therapy. In gene therapy applications, genes are introduced into cells in order to achieve in vivo synthesis of a therapeutically effective genetic product, for example for replacement of a defective gene. “Gene therapy” includes both conventional gene therapy where a lasting effect is achieved by a single treatment, and the administration of gene therapeutic agents, which involves the one time or repeated administration of a therapeutically effective DNA or mRNA. Antisense RNAs and DNAs can be used as therapeutic agents for blocking the expression of certain genes in vivo. It has already been shown that short antisense oligonucleotides can be imported into cells where they act as inhibitors, despite their low intracellular concentrations caused by their restricted uptake by the cell membrane. (Zamecnik, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:4143-4146 [1986]). The oligonucleotides can be modified to enhance their uptake, e.g. by substituting their negatively charged phosphodiester groups by uncharged groups. There are a variety of techniques available for introducing nucleic acids into viable cells. The techniques vary depending upon whether the nucleic acid is transferred into cultured cells in vitro, or in vivo in the cells of the intended host. Techniques suitable for the transfer of nucleic acid into mammalian cells in vitro include the use of liposomes, electroporation, microinjection, cell fusion, DEAE-dextran, the calcium phosphate precipitation method, etc. The currently preferred in vivo gene transfer techniques include transfection with viral (typically retroviral) vectors and viral coat protein-liposome mediated transfection (Dzau, et al., Trends in Biotechnology, 11:205-210 [1993]). In some situations it is desirable to provide the nucleic acid source with an agent that targets the target cells, such as an antibody specific for a cell surface membrane protein or the target cell, a ligand for a receptor on the target cell, etc. Where liposomes are employed, proteins which bind to a cell surface membrane protein associated with endocytosis may be used for targeting and/or to facilitate uptake, e.g. capsid proteins or fragments thereof tropic for a particular cell type, antibodies for proteins which undergo internalization in cycling, proteins that target intracellular localization and enhance intracellular half-life. The technique of receptor-mediated endocytosis is described, for example, by Wu, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 262:4429-4432 (1987); and Wagner, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:3410-3414 (1990). For review of gene marking and gene therapy protocols see Anderson, et al., Science 256:808-813 (1992).

In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle proteins, nucleic acids, variants, modified proteins, cells and/or transgenics containing the said nucleic acids or proteins are used in screening assays. Identification of the cell cycle protein provided herein permits the design of drug screening assays for compounds that bind or interfere with the binding to the cell cycle protein and for compounds which modulate cell cycle activity.

The assays described herein preferably utilize the human cell cycle protein, although other mammalian proteins may also be used, including rodents (mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.), farm animals (cows, sheep, pigs, horses, etc.) and primates. These latter embodiments may be preferred in the development of animal models of human disease. In some embodiments, as outlined herein, variant or derivative cell cycle proteins may be used, including deletion cell cycle proteins as outlined above.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise combining a cell cyle protein and a candidate bioactive agent, and determining the binding of the candidate agent to the cell cycle protein. In other embodiments, further discussed below, binding interference or bioactivity is determined.

The term “candidate bioactive agent” or “exogeneous compound” as used herein describes any molecule, e.g., protein, small organic molecule, carbohydrates (including polysaccharides), polynucleotide, lipids, etc. Generally a plurality of assay mixtures are run in parallel with different agent concentrations to obtain a differential response to the various concentrations. Typically, one of these concentrations serves as a negative control, ie., at zero concentration or below the level of detection. In addition, positive controls, i.e. the use of agents known to alter cell cycling, may be used. For example, p21 is a molecule known to arrest cells in the G1 cell phase, by binding G1 cyclin-CDK complexes.

Candidate agents encompass numerous chemical classes, though typically they are organic molecules, preferably small organic compounds having a molecular weight of more than 100 and less than about 2,500 daltons. Candidate agents comprise functional groups necessary for structural interaction with proteins, particularly hydrogen bonding, and typically include at least an amine, carbonyl, hydroxyl or carboxyl group, preferably at least two of the functional chemical groups. The candidate agents often comprise cyclical carbon or heterocyclic structures and/or aromatic or polyaromatic structures substituted with one or more of the above functional groups. Candidate agents are also found among biomolecules including peptides, saccharides, fatty acids, steroids, purines, pyrimidines, derivatives, structural analogs or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred are peptides.

Candidate agents are obtained from a wide variety of sources including libraries of synthetic or natural compounds. For example, numerous means are available for random and directed synthesis of a wide variety of organic compounds and biomolecules, including expression of randomized oligonucleotides. Alternatively, libraries of natural compounds in the form of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal extracts are available or readily produced. Additionally, natural or synthetically produced libraries and compounds are readily modified through conventional chemical, physical and biochemical means. Known pharmacological agents may be subjected to directed or random chemical modifications, such as acylation, alkylation, esterification, amidification to produce structural analogs.

In a preferred embodiment, a library of different candidate bioactive agents are used. Preferably, the library should provide a sufficiently structurally diverse population of randomized agents to effect a probabilistically sufficient range of diversity to allow binding to a particular target.

Accordingly, an interaction library should be large enough so that at least one of its members will have a structure that gives it affinity for the target. Although it is difficult to gauge the required absolute size of an interaction library, nature provides a hint with the immune response: a diversity of 10⁷-10⁸ different antibodies provides at least one combination with sufficient affinity to interact with most potential antigens faced by an organism. Published in vitro selection techniques have also shown that a library size of 10⁷ to 10 ⁸ is sufficient to find structures with affinity for the target. A library of all combinations of a peptide 7 to 20 amino acids in length, such as generally proposed herein, has the potential to code for 20⁷ (10⁹) to 20²⁰. Thus, with libraries of 10⁷ to 10⁸ different molecules the present methods allow a “working” subset of a theoretically complete interaction library for 7 amino acids, and a subset of shapes for the 20²⁰ library. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, at least 10 ⁶, preferably at least 10⁷, more preferably at least 10” and most preferably at least 10⁹ different sequences are simultaneously analyzed in the subject methods. Preferred methods maximize library size and diversity.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are proteins. By “protein” herein is meant at least two covalently attached amino acids, which includes proteins, polypeptides, oligopeptides and peptides. The protein may be made up of naturally occurring amino acids and peptide bonds, or synthetic peptidomimetic structures. Thus “amino acid”, or “peptide residue”, as used herein means both naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids. For example, homo-phenylalanine, citrulline and noreleucine are considered amino acids for the purposes of the invention. “Amino acid” also includes imino acid residues such as proline and hydroxyproline. The side chains may be in either the (R) or the (S) configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the amino acids are in the (S) or L-configuration. If non-naturally occurring side chains are used, non-amino acid substituents may be used, for example to prevent or retard in vivo degradations. Chemical blocking groups or other chemical substituents may also be added.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are naturally occurring proteins or fragments of naturally occurring proteins. Thus, for example, cellular extracts containing proteins, or random or directed digests of proteinaceous cellular extracts, may be used. In this way libraries of procaryotic and eukaryotic proteins may be made for screening in the systems described herein. Particularly preferred in this embodiment are libraries of bacterial, fungal, viral, and mammalian proteins, with the latter being preferred, and human proteins being especially preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are peptides of from about 5 to about 30 amino acids, with from about 5 to about 20 amino acids being preferred, and from about 7 to about 15 being particularly preferred. The peptides may be digests of naturally occurring proteins as is outlined above, random peptides, or “biased” random peptides. By “randomized” or grammatical equivalents herein is meant that each nucleic acid and peptide consists of essentially random nucleotides and amino acids, respectively. Since generally these random peptides (or nucleic acids, discussed below) are chemically synthesized, they may incorporate any nucleotide or amino acid at any position. The synthetic process can be designed to generate randomized proteins or nucleic acids, to allow the formation of all or most of the possible combinations over the length of the sequence, thus forming a library of randomized candidate bioactive proteinaceous agents.

In one embodiment, the library is fully randomized, with no sequence preferences or constants at any position. In a preferred embodiment, the library is biased. That is, some positions within the sequence are either held constant, or are selected from a limited number of possibilities. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the nucleotides or amino acid residues are randomized within a defined class, for example, of hydrophobic amino acids, hydrophilic residues, sterically biased (either small or large) residues, towards the creation of cysteines, for cross-linking, prolines for SH-3 domains, serines, threonines, tyrosines or histidines for phosphorylation sites, etc., or to purines, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are nucleic acids. By “nucleic acid” or “oligonucleotide” or grammatical equivalents herein means at least two nucleotides covalently linked together. A nucleic acid of the present invention will generally contain phosphodiester bonds, although in some cases, as outlined below, nucleic acid analogs are included that may have alternate backbones, comprising, for example, phosphoramide (Beaucage, et al., Tetrahedron, 49(10):1925 (1993) and references therein; Letsinger, J. Org. Chem., 35:3800 (1970); Sprinzl, et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 81:579 (1977); Letsinger, et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 14:3487 (1986); Sawai, et al., Chem. Lett., 805 (1984), Letsinger, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988); and Pauwels, et al., Chemica Scripta, 26:141 (1986)), phosphorothioate (Mag, et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 19:1437 (1991); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,048), phosphorodithioate (Briu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 111:2321 (1989)), O-methylphophoroamidite linkages (see Eckstein, Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, Oxford University Press), and peptide nucleic acid backbones and linkages (see Egholm, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 114:1895 (1992); Meier, et al., Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 31:1008 (1992); Nielsen, Nature, 365:566 (1993); Carlsson, et al., Nature, 380:207 (1996), all of which are incorporated by reference)). Other analog nucleic acids include those with positive backbones (Denpcy, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:6097 (1995)); non-ionic backbones (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,386,023; 5,637,684; 5,602,240; 5,216,141; and 4,469,863; Kiedrowshi, et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. English, 30:423 (1991); Letsinger, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988); Letsinger, et al., Nucleoside & Nucleotide, 13:1597 (1994); Chapters 2 and 3, ASC Symposium Series 580, “Carbohydrate Modifications in Antisense Research”, Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook; Mesmaeker, et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chem. Lett., 4:395 (1994); Jeffs, et al., J. Biomolecular NMR, 34:17 (1994); Tetrahedron Lett., 37:743 (1996)) and non-ribose backbones, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,033 and 5,034,506, and Chapters 6 and 7, ASC Symposium Series 580, “Carbohydrate Modifications in Antisense Research”, Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook. Nucleic acids containing one or more carbocyclic sugars are also included within the definition of nucleic acids (see Jenkins, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., pp. 169-176 (1995)). Several nucleic acid analogs are described in Rawls, C & E News, Jun. 2, 1997, page 35. All of these references are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. These modifications of the ribose-phosphate backbone may be done to facilitate the addition of additional moieties such as labels, or to increase the stability and half-life of such molecules in physiological environments. In addition, mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs can be made. Alternatively, mixtures of different nucleic acid analogs, and mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs may be made. The nucleic acids may be single stranded or double stranded, as specified, or contain portions of both double stranded or single stranded sequence. The nucleic acid may be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA or a hybrid, where the nucleic acid contains any combination of deoxyribo- and ribo-nucleotides, and any combination of bases, including uracil, adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xathanine hypoxathanine, isocytosine, isoguanine, etc.

As described above generally for proteins, nucleic acid candidate bioactive agents may be naturally occurring nucleic acids, random nucleic acids, or “biased” random nucleic acids. For example, digests of procaryotic or eukaryotic genomes may be used as is outlined above for proteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are organic chemical moieties, a wide variety of which are available in the literature.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are linked to a fusion partner. By “fusion partner” or “functional group” herein is meant a sequence that is associated with the candidate bioactive agent, that confers upon all members of the library in that class a common function or ability. Fusion partners can be heterologous (i.e. not native to the host cell), or synthetic (not native to any cell). Suitable fusion partners include, but are not limited to: a) presentation structures, which provide the candidate bioactive agents in a conformationally restricted or stable form; b) targeting sequences, which allow the localization of the candidate bioactive agent into a subcellular or extracellular compartment; c) rescue sequences which allow the purification or isolation of either the candidate bioactive agents or the nucleic acids encoding them; d) stability sequences, which confer stability or protection from degradation to the candidate bioactive agent or the nucleic acid encoding it, for example resistance to proteolytic degradation; e) dimerization sequences, to allow for peptide dimerization; or f any combination of a), b), c), d), and e), as well as linker sequences as needed.

In one embodiment of the methods described herein, portions of cell cycle proteins are utilized; in a preferred embodiment, portions having cell cycle activity are used. Cell cycle activity is described further below and includes binding activity to Traf or Nck or cell cycle protein modulators as further described below. In addition, the assays described herein may utilize either isolated cell cycle proteins or cells comprising the cell cycle proteins.

Generally, in a preferred embodiment of the methods herein, for example for binding assays, the cell cycle protein or the candidate agent is non-diffusibly bound to an insoluble support having isolated sample receiving areas (e.g. a microtiter plate, an array, etc.). The insoluble supports may be made of any composition to which the compositions can be bound, is readily separated from soluble material, and is otherwise compatible with the overall method of screening. The surface of such supports may be solid or porous and of any convenient shape. Examples of suitable insoluble supports include microtiter plates, arrays, membranes and beads. These are typically made of glass, plastic (e.g., polystyrene), polysaccharides, nylon or nitrocellulose, teflon™, etc. Microtiter plates and arrays are especially convenient because a large number of assays can be carried out simultaneously, using small amounts of reagents and samples. In some cases magnetic beads and the like are included. The particular manner of binding of the composition is not crucial so long as it is compatible with the reagents and overall methods of the invention, maintains the activity of the composition and is nondiffusable. Preferred methods of binding include the use of antibodies (which do not sterically block either the ligand binding site or activation sequence when the protein is bound to the support), direct binding to “sticky” or ionic supports, chemical crosslinking, the synthesis of the protein or agent on the surface, etc. In some embodiments, Traf2 or Nck can be used. Following binding of the protein or agent, excess unbound material is removed by washing. The sample receiving areas may then be blocked through incubation with bovine serum albumin (BSA), casein or other innocuous protein or other moiety. Also included in this invention are screening assays wherein solid supports are not used; examples of such are described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle protein is bound to the support, and a candidate bioactive agent is added to the assay. Alternatively, the candidate agent is bound to the support and the cell cycle protein is added. Novel binding agents include specific antibodies, non-natural binding agents identified in screens of chemical libraries, peptide analogs, etc. Of particular interest are screening assays for agents that have a low toxicity for human cells. A wide variety of assays may be used for this purpose, including labeled in vitro protein-protein binding assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, immunoassays for protein binding, functional assays (phosphorylation assays, etc.) and the like.

The determination of the binding of the candidate bioactive agent to the cell cycle protein may be done in a number of ways. In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is labelled, and binding determined directly. For example, this may be done by attaching all or a portion of the cell cycle protein to a solid support, adding a labelled candidate agent (for example a fluorescent label), washing off excess reagent, and determining whether the label is present on the solid support. Various blocking and washing steps may be utilized as is known in the art.

By “labeled” herein is meant that the compound is either directly or indirectly labeled with a label which provides a detectable signal, e.g. radioisotope, fluorescers, enzyme, antibodies, particles such as magnetic particles, chemiluminescers, or specific binding molecules, etc. Specific binding molecules include pairs, such as biotin and streptavidin, digoxin and antidigoxin etc. For the specific binding members, the complementary member would normally be labeled with a molecule which provides for detection, in accordance with known procedures, as outlined above. The label can directly or indirectly provide a detectable signal.

In some embodiments, only one of the components is labeled. For example, the proteins (or proteinaceous candidate agents) may be labeled at tyrosine positions using ¹²⁵I, or with fluorophores. Alternatively, more than one component may be labeled with different labels; using ¹²⁵I for the proteins, for example, and a fluorophor for the candidate agents.

In a preferred embodiment, the binding of the candidate bioactive agent is determined through the use of competitive binding assays. In this embodiment, the competitor is a binding moiety known to bind to the target molecule (i.e. cell cycle protein), such as an antibody, peptide, binding partner, ligand, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the competitor is Traf, preferably Traf2, or Nck. Under certain circumstances, there may be competitive binding as between the bioactive agent and the binding moiety, with the binding moiety displacing the bioactive agent. This assay can be used to determine candidate agents which interfere with binding between cell cycle proteins and Traf2 or Nck. “Interference of binding” as used herein means that native binding of the cell cycle protein differs in the presence of the candidate agent. The binding can be eliminated or can be with a reduced affinity. Therefore, in one embodiment, interference is caused by, for example, a conformation change, rather than direct competition for the native binding site.

In one embodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is labeled. Either the candidate bioactive agent, or the competitor, or both, is added first to the protein for a time sufficient to allow binding, if present. Incubations may be performed at any temperature which facilitates optimal activity, typically between 4 and 40° C. Incubation periods are selected for optimum activity, but may also be optimized to facilitate rapid high through put screening. Typically between 0.1 and 1 hour will be sufficient. Excess reagent is generally removed or washed away. The second component is then added, and the presence or absence of the labeled component is followed, to indicate binding.

In a preferred embodiment, the competitor is added first, followed by the candidate bioactive agent. Displacement of the competitor is an indication that the candidate bioactive agent is binding to the cell cycle protein and thus is capable of binding to, and potentially modulating, the activity of the cell cycle protein. In this embodiment, either component can be labeled. Thus, for example, if the competitor is labeled, the presence of label in the wash solution indicates displacement by the agent. Alternatively, if the candidate bioactive agent is labeled, the presence of the label on the support indicates displacement.

In an alternative embodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is added first, with incubation and washing, followed by the competitor. The absence of binding by the competitor may indicate that the bioactive agent is bound to the cell cycle protein with a higher affinity. Thus, if the candidate bioactive agent is labeled, the presence of the label on the support, coupled with a lack of competitor binding, may indicate that the candidate agent is capable of binding to the cell cycle protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise differential screening to identity bioactive agents that are capable of modulating the activity of the cell cycle proteins. Such assays can be done with the cell cycle protein or cells comprising said cell cycle protein. In one embodiment, the methods comprise combining an cell cycle protein and a competitor in a first sample. A second sample comprises a candidate bioactive agent, an cell cycle protein and a competitor. The binding of the competitor is determined for both samples, and a change, or difference in binding between the two samples indicates the presence of an agent capable of binding to the cell cycle protein and potentially modulating its activity. That is, if the binding of the competitor is different in the second sample relative to the first sample, the agent is capable of binding to the cell cycle protein.

Alternatively, a preferred embodiment utilizes differential screening to identify drug candidates that bind to the native cell cycle protein, but cannot bind to modified cell cycle proteins. The structure of the cell cycle protein may be modeled, and used in rational drug design to synthesize agents that interact with that site. Drug candidates that affect cell cycle bioactivity are also identified by screening drugs for the ability to either enhance or reduce the activity of the protein.

Positive controls and negative controls may be used in the assays. Preferably all control and test samples are performed in at least triplicate to obtain statistically significant results. Incubation of all samples is for a time sufficient for the binding of the agent to the protein. Following incubation, all samples are washed free of non-specifically bound material and the amount of bound, generally labeled agent determined. For example, where a radiolabel is employed, the samples may be counted in a scintillation counter to determine the amount of bound compound.

A variety of other reagents may be included in the screening assays. These include reagents like salts, neutral proteins, e.g. albumin, detergents, etc which may be used to facilitate optimal protein-protein binding and/or reduce non-specific or background interactions. Also reagents that otherwise improve the efficiency of the assay, such as protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, anti-microbial agents, etc., may be used. The mixture of components may be added in any order that provides for the requisite binding.

Screening for agents that modulate the activity of cell cycle may also be done. In a preferred embodiment, methods for screening for a bioactive agent capable of modulating the activity of cell cycle comprise the steps of adding a candidate bioactive agent to a sample of a cell cycle protein (or cells comprising a cell cycle protein) and determining an alteration in the biological activity of the cell cycle protein. “Modulating the activity of a cell cycle protein” includes an increase in activity, a decrease in activity, or a change in the type or kind of activity present. Thus, in this embodiment, the candidate agent should both bind to cell cycle (although this may not be necessary), and alter its biological or biochemical activity as defined herein. The methods include both in vitro screening methods, as are generally outlined above, and in vivo screening of cells for alterations in the presence, distribution, activity or amount of cell cycle protein.

Thus, in this embodiment, the methods comprise combining an cell cycle sample and a candidate bioactive agent, and evaluating the effect on the cell cycle. By “cell cycle activity” or “cell cycle protein activitiy” or grammatical equivalents herein is meant at least one of the cell cycle protein's biological activities, including, but not limited to, its ability to affect the cell cycle, bind to Traf2, bind to Nck, activate the JNK pathway, disrupt of F-actin upon overexpression, inhibit cell spreading upon overexpression, phosphorylate targets, phosphorylate Gelsolin, and regulate of the cytoskeleton. In some embodiments, fragments of the cell cycle protein are preferred, particularly fragments having one or more cell cycle protein activities.

In a preferred embodiment, the activity of the cell cycle protein is decreased; in another preferred embodiment, the activity of the cell cycle protein is increased. Thus, bioactive agents that are antagonists are preferred in some embodiments, and bioactive agents that are agonists may be preferred in other embodiments. As used herein, increased or overexpressed means an increase of at least 10%, more preferably 25-50%, more preferably 50%-75%, and more preferably at least a 100% to 500% increase over the native state. As used herein, decreased or underexpressed means a decrease of at least 10%, more preferably 25-50%, more preferably 50%-75%, and more preferably at least a 100% to 500% decrease over the native state, i.e., compared to without administeration of the cell cycle proteins, nucleic acids or candidate agents as described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods for screening for bioactive agents capable of modulating the activity of an cell cycle protein. The methods comprise adding a candidate bioactive agent, as defined above, to a cell comprising cell cycle proteins. Preferred cell types include almost any cell. The cells contain a recombinant nucleic acid that encodes an cell cycle protein. In a preferred embodiment, a library of candidate agents are tested on a plurality of cells.

Detection of cell cycle regulation may be done as will be appreciated by those in the art. In one embodiment, indicators of the cell cycle are used. There are a number of parameters that may be evaluated or assayed to allow the detection of alterations in cell cycle regulation, including, but not limited to, cell viability assays, assays to determine whether cells are arrested at a particular cell cycle stage (“cell proliferation assays”), and assays to determine at which cell stage the cells have arrested (“cell phase assays”). By assaying or measuring one or more of these parameters, it is possible to detect not only alterations in cell cycle regulation, but alterations of different steps of the cell cycle regulation pathway. This may be done to evaluate native cells, for example to quantify the aggressiveness of a tumor cell type, or to evaluate the effect of candidate drug agents that are being tested for their effect on cell cycle regulation. In this manner, rapid, accurate screening of candidate agents may be performed to identify agents that modulate cell cycle regulation.

Thus, the present compositions and methods are useful to elucidate bioactive agents that can cause a cell or a population of cells to either move out of one growth phase and into another, or arrest in a growth phase. In some embodiments, the cells are arrested in a particular growth phase,and it is desirable to either get them out of that phase or into a new phase. Alternatively, it may be desirable to force a cell to arrest in a phase, for example G1, rather than continue to move through the cell cycle. Similarly, it may be desirable in some circumstances to accelerate a non-arrested but slowly moving population of cells into either the next phase or just through the cell cycle, or to delay the onset of the next phase. For example, it may be possible to alter the activities of certain enzymes, for example kinases, phosphatases, proteases or ubiquitination enzymes, that contribute to initiating cell phase changes.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods outlined herein are done on cells that are not arrested in the G1 phase; that is, they are rapidly or uncontrollably growing and replicating, such as tumor cells. In this manner, candidate agents are evaluated to find agents that can alter the cell cycle regulation, i.e. cause the cells to arrest at cell cycle checkpoints, such as in G1 (although arresting in other phases such as S, G2 or M are also desirable). Alternatively, candidate agents are evaluated to find agents that can cause proliferation of a population of cells, i.e. that allow cells that are generally arrested in G1 to start proliferating again; for example, peripheral blood cells, terminally differentiated cells, stem cells in culture, etc.

Accordingly, the invention provides methods for screening for alterations in cell cycle regulation of a population of cells. By “alteration” or “modulation” (used herein interchangeably), is generally meant one of two things. In a preferred embodiment, the alteration results in a change in the cell cycle of a cell, i.e. a proliferating cell arrests in any one of the phases, or an arrested cell moves out of its arrested phase and starts the cell cycle, as compared to another cell or in the same cell under different conditions. Alternatively, the progress of a cell through any particular phase may be altered; that is, there may be an acceleration or delay in the length of time it takes for the cells to move thorough a particular growth phase. For example, the cell may be normally undergo a G1 phase of several hours; the addition of an agent may prolong the G1 phase.

The measurements can be determined wherein all of the conditions are the same for each measurement, or under various conditions, with or without bioactive agents, or at different stages of the cell cycle process. For example, a measurement of cell cycle regulation can be determined in a cell or cell population wherein a candidate bioactive agent is present and wherein the candidate bioactive agent is absent. In another example, the measurements of cell cycle regulation are determined wherein the condition or environment of the cell or populations of cells differ from one another. For example, the cells may be evaluated in the presence or absence or previous or subsequent exposure of physiological signals, for example hormones, antibodies, peptides, antigens, cytokines, growth factors, action potentials, pharmacological agents including chemotherapeutics, radiation, carcinogenics, or other cells (i.e. cell-cell contacts). In another example, the measurements of cell cycle regulation are determined at different stages of the cell cycle process. In yet another example, the measurements of cell cycle regulation are taken wherein the conditions are the same, and the alterations are between one cell or cell population and another cell or cell population.

By a “population of cells” or “library of cells” herein is meant at least two cells, with at least about 10³ being preferred, at least about 10⁶ being particularly preferred, and at least about 10⁸ to 10⁹ being especially preferred. The population or sample can contain a mixture of different cell types from either primary or secondary cultures although samples containing only a single cell type are preferred, for example, the sample can be from a cell line, particularly tumor cell lines, as outlined below. The cells may be in any cell phase, either synchronously or not, including M, G1, S, and G2. In a preferred embodiment, cells that are replicating or proliferating are used; this may allow the use of retroviral vectors for the introduction of candidate bioactive agents. Alternatively, non-replicating cells may be used, and other vectors (such as adenovirus and lentivirus vectors) can be used. In addition, although not required, the cells are compatible with dyes and antibodies.

Preferred cell types for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, mammalian cells, including animal (rodents, including mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils), primates, and human cells, particularly including tumor cells of all types, including breast, skin, lung, cervix, colonrectal, leukemia, brain, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise assaying one or more of several different cell parameters, including, but not limited to, cell viability, cell proliferation, and cell phase. Other parameters which can be assayed, singuraly or jointly include Traf2 activity modulation, Nck activity modulation, JNK pathway activity, F-actin disruption, cell spreading, phosphorylation of Gelsolin, and cytoskeleton activity, particularly including mitosis and cytokinesis.

In a preferred embodiment, cell viability is assayed, to ensure that a lack of cellular change is due to experimental conditions (i.e. the introduction of a candidate bioactive agent) not cell death. There are a variety of suitable cell viability assays which can be used, including, but not limited to, light scattering, viability dye staining, and exclusion dye staining.

In a preferred embodiment, a light scattering assay is used as the viability assay, as is well known in the art. For example, when viewed in the FACS, cells have particular characteristics as measured by their forward and 90 degree (side) light scatter properties. These scatter properties represent the size, shape and granule content of the cells. These properties account for two parameters to be measured as a readout for the viability. Briefly, the DNA of dying or dead cells generally condenses, which alters the 90° scatter; similarly, membrane blebbing can alter the forward scatter. Alterations in the intensity of light scattering, or the cell-refractive index indicate alterations in viability.

Thus, in general, for light scattering assays, a live cell population of a particular cell type is evaluated to determine it's forward and side scattering properties. This sets a standard for scattering that can subsequently be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the viability assay utilizes a viability dye. There are a number of known viability dyes that stain dead or dying cells, but do not stain growing cells. For example, annexin V is a member of a protein family which displays specific binding to phospholipid (phosphotidylserine) in a divalent ion dependent manner. This protein has been widely used for the measurement of apoptosis (programmed cell death) as cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine is a hallmark early signal of this process. Suitable viability dyes include, but are not limited to, annexin, ethidium homodimer-1, DEAD Red, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, etc., and others known in the art; see the Molecular Probes Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals, Haugland, Sixth Edition, hereby incorporated by reference; see Apoptosis Assay on page 285 in particular, and Chapter 16.

Protocols for viability dye staining for cell viability are known, see Molecular Probes catalog, supra. In this embodiment, the viability dye such as annexin is labeled, either directly or indirectly, and combined with a cell population. Annexin is commercially available, i.e., from PharMingen, San Diego, Calif., or Caltag Laboratories, Millbrae, Calif. Preferably, the viability dye is provided in a solution wherein the dye is in a concentration of about 100 ng/ml to about 500 ng/ml, more preferably, about 500 ng/ml to about 1 μg/ml, and most preferably, from about 1 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml. In a preferred embodiment, the viability dye is directly labeled; for example, annexin may be labeled with a fluorochrome such as fluorecein isothiocyanate (FITC), Alexa dyes, TRITC, AMCA, APC, tri-color, Cy-5, and others known in the art or commercially available. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the viability dye is labeled with a first label, such as a hapten such as biotin, and a secondary fluorescent label is used, such as fluorescent streptavidin. Other first and second labeling pairs can be used as will be appreciated by those in the art.

Once added, the viability dye is allowed to incubate with the cells for a period of time, and washed, if necessary. The cells are then sorted as outlined below to remove the non-viable cells.

In a preferred embodiment, exclusion dye staining is used as the viability assay. Exclusion dyes are those which are excluded from living cells, i.e. they are not taken up passively (they do not permeate the cell membrane of a live cell). However, due to the permeability of dead or dying cells, they are taken up by dead cells. Generally, but not always, the exclusion dyes bind to DNA, for example via intercalation. Preferably, the exclusion dye does not fluoresce, or fluoresces poorly, in the absence of DNA; this eliminates the need for a wash step. Alternatively, exclusion dyes that require the use of a secondary label may also be used. Preferred exclusion dyes include, but are not limited to, ethidium bromide; ethidium homodimer-1; propidium iodine; SYTOX green nucleic acid stain; Calcein AM, BCECF AM; fluorescein diacetate; TOTO® and TO-PRO™ (from Molecular Probes; supra, see chapter 16) and others known in the art.

Protocols for exclusion dye staining for cell viability are known, see the Molecular Probes catalog, supra. In general, the exclusion dye is added to the cells at a concentration of from about 100 ng/ml to about 500 ng/ml, more preferably, about 500 ng/ml to about 1 μg/ml, and most preferably, from about 0.1 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml, with about 0.5 μg/ml being particularly preferred. The cells and the exclusion dye are incubated for some period of time, washed, if necessary, and then the cells sorted as outlined below, to remove non-viable cells from the population.

In addition, there are other cell viability assays which may be run, including for example enzymatic assays, which can measure extracellular enzymatic activity of either live cells (i.e. secreted proteases, etc.), or dead cells (i.e. the presence of intracellular enzymes in the media; for example, intracellular proteases, mitochondrial enzymes, etc.). See the Molecular Probes Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals, Haugland, Sixth Edition, hereby incorporated by reference; see chapter 16 in particular.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one cell viability assay is run, with at least two different cell viability assays being preferred, when the fluors are compatible. When only 1 viability assay is run, a preferred embodiment utilizes light scattering assays (both forward and side scattering). When two viability assays are run, preferred embodiments utilize light scattering and dye exclusion, with light scattering and viability dye staining also possible, and all three being done in some cases as well. Viability assays thus allow the separation of viable cells from non-viable or dying cells.

In addition to a cell viability assay, a preferred embodiment utilizes a cell proliferation assay. By “proliferation assay” herein is meant an assay that allows the determination that a cell population is either proliferating, i.e. replicating, or not replicating.

In a preferred embodiment, the proliferation assay is a dye inclusion assay. A dye inclusion assay relies on dilution effects to distinguish between cell phases. Briefly, a dye (generally a fluorescent dye as outlined below) is introduced to cells and taken up by the cells. Once taken up, the dye is trapped in the cell, and does not diffuse out. As the cell population divides, the dye is proportionally diluted. That is, after the introduction of the inclusion dye, the cells are allowed to incubate for some period of time; cells that lose fluorescence over time are dividing, and the cells that remain fluorescent are arrested in a non-growth phase.

Generally, the introduction of the inclusion dye may be done in one of two ways. Either the dye cannot passively enter the cells (e.g. it is charged), and the cells must be treated to take up the dye; for example through the use of a electric pulse. Alternatively, the dye can passively enter the cells, but once taken up, it is modified such that it cannot diffuse out of the cells. For example, enzymatic modification of the inclusion dye may render it charged, and thus unable to diffuse out of the cells. For example, the Molecular Probes CellTracker™ dyes are fluorescent chloromethyl derivatives that freely diffuse into cells, and then glutathione S-transferase-mediated reaction produces membrane impermeant dyes.

Suitable inclusion dyes include, but are not limited to, the Molecular Probes line of CellTracker™ dyes, including, but not limited to CellTracker™ Blue, CellTracker™ Yellow-Green, CellTracker™ Green, CellTracker™ Orange, PKH26 (Sigma), and others known in the art; see the Molecular Probes Handbook, supra; chapter 15 in particular.

In general, inclusion dyes are provided to the cells at a concentration ranging from about 100 ng/ml to about 5 μg/ml, with from about 500 ng/ml to about 1 μg/ml being preferred. A wash step may or may not be used. In a preferred embodiment, a candidate bioactive agent is combined with the cells as described herein. The cells and the inclusion dye are incubated for some period of time, to allow cell division and thus dye dilution. The length of time will depend on the cell cycle time for the particular cells; in general, at least about 2 cell divisions are preferred, with at least about 3 being particularly preferred and at least about 4 being especially preferred. The cells are then sorted as outlined below, to create populations of cells that are replicating and those that are not. As will be appreciated by those in the art, in some cases, for example when screening for anti-proliferation agents, the bright (i.e. fluorescent) cells are collected; in other embodiments, for example for screening for proliferation agents, the low fluorescence cells are collected. Alterations are determined by measuring the fluorescence at either different time points or in different cell populations, and comparing the determinations to one another or to standards.

In a preferred embodiment, the proliferation assay is an antimetabolite assay. In general, antimetabolite assays find the most use when agents that cause cellular arrest in G1 or G2 resting phase is desired. In an antimetabolite proliferation assay, the use of a toxic antimetabolite that will kill dividing cells will result in survival of only those cells that are not dividing. Suitable antimetabolites include, but are not limited to, standard chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate, cisplatin, taxol, hydroxyurea, nucleotide analogs such as AraC, etc. In addition, antimetabolite assays may include the use of genes that cause cell death upon expression.

The concentration at which the antimetabolite is added will depend on the toxicity of the particular antimetabolite, and will be determined as is known in the art. The antimetabolite is added and the cells are generally incubated for some period of time; again, the exact period of time will depend on the characteristics and identity of the antimetabolite as well as the cell cycle time of the particular cell population. Generally, a time sufficient for at least one cell division to occur.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one proliferation assay is run, with more than one being preferred. Thus, a proliferation assay results in a population of proliferating cells and a population of arrested cells. Moreover, other proliferation assays may be used, i.e., colorimetric assays known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, either after or simultaneously with one or more of the proliferation assays outlined above, at least one cell phase assay is done. A “cell phase,” assay determines at which cell phase the cells are arrested, M, G1, S, or G2.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell phase assay is a DNA binding dye assay. Briefly, a DNA binding dye is introduced to the cells, and taken up passively. Once inside the cell, the DNA binding dye binds to DNA, generally by intercalation, although in some cases, the dyes can be either major or minor groove binding compounds. The amount of dye is thus directly correlated to the amount of DNA in the cell, which varies by cell phase; G2 and M phase cells have twice the DNA content of G1 phase cells, and S phase cells have an intermediate amount, depending on at what point in S phase the cells are. Suitable DNA binding dyes are permanent, and include, but are not limited to, Hoechst 33342 and 33258, acridine orange, 7-AAD, LDS 751, DAPI, and SYTO 16, Molecular Probes Handbook, supra; chapters 8 and 16 in particular.

In general, the DNA binding dyes are added in concentrations ranging from about 1 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml. The dyes are added to the cells and allowed to incubate for some period of time; the length of time will depend in part on the dye chosen. In one embodiment, measurements are taken immediately after addition of the dye. The cells are then sorted as outlined below, to create populations of cells that contain different amounts of dye, and thus different amounts of DNA; in this way, cells that are replicating are separated from those that are not. As will be appreciated by those in the art, in some cases, for example when screening for anti-proliferation agents, cells with the least fluorescence (and thus a single copy of the genome) can be separated from those that are replicating and thus contain more than a single genome of DNA. Alterations are determined by measuring the fluorescence at either different time points or in different cell populations, and comparing the determinations to one another or to standards.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell phase assay is a cyclin destruction assay. In this embodiment, prior to screening (and generally prior to the introduction of a candidate bioactive agent, as outlined below), a fusion nucleic acid is introduced to the cells. The fusion nucleic acid comprises nucleic acid encoding a cyclin destruction box and a nucleic acid encoding a detectable molecule. “Cyclin destruction boxes” are known in the art and are sequences that cause destruction via the ubiquitination pathway of proteins containing the boxes during particular cell phases. That is, for example, G1 cyclins may be stable during G1 phase but degraded during S phase due to the presence of a G1 cyclin destruction box. Thus, by linking a cyclin destruction box to a detectable molecule, for example green fluorescent protein, the presence or absence of the detectable molecule can serve to identify the cell phase of the cell population. In a preferred embodiment, multiple boxes are used, preferably each with a different fluor, such that detection of the cell phase can occur.

A number of cyclin destruction boxes are known in the art, for example, cyclin A has a destruction box comprising the sequence RTVLGVIGD; the destruction box of cyclin B1 comprises the sequence RTALGDIGN. See G1, otzer, et al., Nature, 349:132-138 (1991). Other destruction boxes are known as well: YMTVSIIDRFMQDSCVPKKMLQLVGVT (rat cyclin B); KFRLLQETMYMTVSIIDRFMQNSCVPKK (mouse cyclin B); RAILIDWLIQVQMKFRLLQETMYMTVS (mouse cyclin B1); DRFLQAQLVCRKKLQWGITALLLASK (mouse cyclin B2); and MSVLRGKLQLVGTAAMLL (mouse cyclin A2).

The nucleic acid encoding the cyclin destruction box is operably linked to nucleic acid encoding a detectable molecule. The fusion proteins are constructed by methods known in the art. For example, the nucleic acids encoding the destruction box is ligated to a nucleic acid encoding a detectable molecule. “By detectable molecule” herein is meant a molecule that allows a cell or compound comprising the detectable molecule to be distinguished from one that does not contain it, i.e., an epitope, sometimes called an antigen TAG, a specific enzyme, or a fluorescent molecule. Preferred fluorescent molecules include but are not limited to green fluorescent protein (GFP), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), red fluorescent protein (RFP), and enzymes including luciferase and β-galactosidase. When antigen TAGs are used, preferred embodiments utilize cell surface antigens. The epitope is preferably any detectable peptide which is not generally found on the cytoplasmic membrane, although in some instances, if the epitope is one normally found on the cells, increases may be detected, although this is generally not preferred. Similarly, enzymatic detectable molecules may also be used; for example, an enzyme that generates a novel or chromogenic product.

Accordingly, the results of sorting after cell phase assays generally result in at least two populations of cells that are in different cell phases.

The proteins and nucleic acids provided herein can also be used for screening purposes wherein the protein-protein interactions of the cell cycle proteins can be identified. Genetic systems have been described to detect protein-protein interactions. The first work was done in yeast systems, namely the “yeast two-hybrid” system. The basic system requires a protein-protein interaction in order to turn on transcription of a reporter gene. Subsequent work was done in mammalian cells. See Fields, et al., Nature, 340:245 (1989); Vasavada, et al., PNAS USA, 88:10686 (1991); Fearon, et al., PNAS USA, 89:7958 (1992); Dang, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 11:954 (1991); Chien, et al., PNAS USA, 88:9578 (1991); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,173, 5,667,973, 5,468,614, 5,525,490, and 5,637,463. A preferred system is described in Ser. Nos. 09/050,863, filed Mar. 30, 1998 and Ser. No. 09/359,081 filed Jul. 22, 1999, entitled “Mammalian Protein Interaction Cloning System”. For use in conjunction with these systems, a particularly useful shuttle vector is described in Ser. No. 09/133,944, filed Aug. 14, 1998, entitled “Shuttle Vectors”.

In general, two nucleic acids are transformed into a cell, where one is a “bait” such as the gene encoding a cell cycle protein or a portion thereof, and the other encodes a test candidate. Only if the two expression products bind to one another will an indicator, such as a fluorescent protein, be expressed. Expression of the indicator indicates when a test candidate binds to the cell cycle protein and can be identified as an cell cycle protein. Using the same system and the identified cell cycle proteins the reverse can be performed. Namely, the cell cycle proteins provided herein can be used to identify new baits, or agents which interact with cell cycle proteins. Additionally, the two-hybrid system can be used wherein a test candidate is added in addition to the bait and the cell cycle protein encoding nucleic acids to determine agents which interfere with the bait, such as Traf2 or Nck, and the cell cycle protein.

In one embodiment, a mammalian two-hybrid system is preferred. Mammalian systems provide post-translational modifications of proteins which may contribute significantly to their ability to interact. In addition, a mammalian two-hybrid system can be used in a wide variety of mammalian cell types to mimic the regulation, induction, processing, etc. of specific proteins within a particular cell type. For example, proteins involved in a disease state (i.e., cancer, apoptosis related disorders) could be tested in the relevant disease cells. Similarly, for testing of random proteins, assaying them under the relevant cellular conditions will give the highest positive results. Furthermore, the mammalian cells can be tested under a variety of experimental conditions that may affect intracellular protein-protein interactions, such as in the presence of hormones, drugs, growth factors and cytokines, radiation, chemotherapeutics, cellular and chemical stimuli, etc., that may contribute to conditions which can effect protein-protein interactions, particularly those involved in cancer.

Assays involving binding such as the two-hybrid system may take into account non-specific binding proteins (NSB).

Expression in various cell types, and assays for cell cycle activity are described above. The activity assays, such as having an effect on Traf2 or Nck binding, cytoskeleton regulation, phosphorylation activity, disruption of F-actin or JNK pathway activation, can be performed to confirm the activity of cell cycle proteins which have already been identified by their sequence identity/similarity or binding to Traf2 or Nck as well as to further confirm the activity of lead compounds identified as modulators of the cell cycle proteins provided herein such as Tnik.

The components provided herein for the assays provided herein may also be combined to form kits. The kits can be based on the use of the protein and/or the nucleic acid encoding the cell cycle proteins. In one embodiment, other components are provided in the kit. Such components include one or more of packaging, instructions, antibodies, and labels. Additional assays such as those used in diagnostics are further described below.

In this way, bioactive agents are identified. Compounds with pharmacological activity are able to enhance or interfere with the activity of the cell cycle protein. The compounds having the desired pharmacological activity may be administered in a physiologically acceptable carrier to a host, as further described below.

The present discovery relating to the role of cell cycle proteins in the cell cycle thus provides methods for inducing or preventing cell proliferation in cells. In a preferred embodiment, the cell cycle proteins, and particularly cell cycle protein fragments, are useful in the study or treatment of conditions which are mediated by the cell cycle proteins, i.e. to diagnose, treat or prevent cell cycle associated disorders. Thus, “cell cycle associated disorders” or “disease state” include conditions involving both insufficient or excessive cell proliferation, preferably, cancer.

Thus, in one embodiment, cell cycle regulation in cells or organisms are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise administering to a cell or individual in need thereof, a cell cycle protein in a therapeutic amount. Alternatively, an anti-cell cycle antibody that reduces or eliminates the biological activity of the endogeneous cell cycle protein is administered. In another embodiment, a bioactive agent as identified by the methods provided herein is administered. Alternatively, the methods comprise administering to a cell or individual a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an cell cycle protein. As will be appreciated by those in the art, this may be accomplished in any number of ways. In a preferred embodiment, the activity of cell cycle is increased by increasing the amount of cell cycle in the cell, for example by overexpressing the endogeneous cell cycle or by administering a gene encoding a cell cycle protein, using known gene-therapy techniques, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the gene therapy techniques include the incorporation of the exogeneous gene using enhanced homologous recombination (EHR), for example as described in PCT/US93/03868, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Without being bound by theory, it appears that cell cycle protein is an important protein in the cell cycle. Accordingly, disorders based on mutant or variant cell cycle genes may be determined. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for identifying cells containing variant cell cycle genes comprising determining all or part of the sequence of at least one endogeneous cell cycle genes in a cell. As will be appreciated by those in the art, this may be done using any number of sequencing techniques. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods of identifying the cell cycle genotype of an individual comprising determining all or part of the sequence of at least one cell cycle gene of the individual. This is generally done in at least one tissue of the individual, and may include the evaluation of a number of tissues or different samples of the same tissue. The method may include comparing the sequence of the sequenced cell cycle gene to a known cell cycle gene, i.e. a wild-type gene.

The sequence of all or part of the cell cycle gene can then be compared to the sequence of a known cell cycle gene to determine if any differences exist. This can be done using any number of known sequence identity programs, such as Bestfit, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of a difference in the sequence between the cell cycle gene of the patient and the known cell cycle gene is indicative of a disease state or a propensity for a disease state.

In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for diagnosing a cell cycle related condition in an individual. The methods comprise measuring the activity of cell cycle in a tissue from the individual or patient, which may include a measurement of the amount or specific activity of a cell cycle protein. This activity is compared to the activity of cell cycle from either a unaffected second individual or from an unaffected tissue from the first individual. When these activities are different, the first individual may be at risk for a cell cycle associated disorder. In this way, for example, monitoring of various disease conditions may be done, by monitoring the levels of the protein or the expression of mRNA therefor. Similarly, expression levels may correlate to the prognosis.

In one aspect, the expression levels of cell cycle protein genes are determined in different patient samples or cells for which either diagnosis or prognosis information is desired. Gene expression monitoring is done on genes encoding cell cycle proteins. In one aspect, the expression levels of cell cycle protein genes are determined for different cellular states, such as normal cells and cells undergoing apoptosis or transformation. By comparing cell cycle protein gene expression levels in cells in different states, information including both up- and down-regulation of cell cycle protein genes is obtained, which can be used in a number of ways. For example, the evaluation of a particular treatment regime may be evaluated: does a chemotherapeutic drug act to improve the long-term prognosis in a particular patient. Similarly, diagnosis may be done or confirmed by comparing patient samples. Furthermore, these gene expression levels allow screening of drug candidates with an eye to mimicking or altering a particular expression level. This may be done by making biochips comprising sets of important cell cycle protein genes, such as those of the present invention, which can then be used in these screens. These methods can also be done on the protein basis; that is, protein expression levels of the cell cycle proteins can be evaluated for diagnostic purposes or to screen candidate agents. In addition, the cell cycle protein nucleic acid sequences can be administered for gene therapy purposes, including the administration of antisense nucleic acids, or the cell cycle proteins administered as therapeutic drugs.

Cell cycle protein sequences bound to biochips include both nucleic acid and amino acid sequences as defined above. In a preferred embodiment, nucleic acid probes to cell cycle protein nucleic acids (both the nucleic acid sequences having the sequences outlined in the Figures and/or the complements thereof) are made. The nucleic acid probes attached to the biochip are designed to be substantially complementary to the cell cycle protein nucleic acids, i.e. the target sequence (either the target sequence of the sample or to other probe sequences, for example in sandwich assays), such that hybridization of the target sequence and the probes of the present invention occurs. As outlined below, this complementarity need not be perfect; there may be any number of base pair mismatches which will interfere with hybridization between the target sequence and the single stranded nucleic acids of the present invention. However, if the number of mutations is so great that no hybridization can occur under even the least stringent of hybridization conditions, the sequence is not a complementary target sequence. Thus, by “substantially complementary” herein is meant that the probes are sufficiently complementary to the target sequences to hybridize under normal reaction conditions, particularly high stringency conditions, as outlined herein.

A “nucleic acid probe” is generally single stranded but can be partially single and partially double stranded. The strandedness of the probe is dictated by the structure, composition, and properties of the target sequence. In general, the nucleic acid probes range from about 8 to about 100 bases long, with from about 10 to about 80 bases being preferred, and from about 30 to about 50 bases being particularly preferred. In some embodiments, much longer nucleic acids can be used, up to hundreds of bases (e.g., whole genes).

As will be appreciated by those in the art, nucleic acids can be attached or immobilized to a solid support in a wide variety of ways. By “immobilized” and grammatical equivalents herein is meant the association or binding between the nucleic acid probe and the solid support is sufficient to be stable under the conditions of binding, washing, analysis, and removal as outlined below. The binding can be covalent or non-covalent. By “non-covalent binding” and grammatical equivalents herein is meant one or more of either electrostatic, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic interactions. Included in non-covalent binding is the covalent attachment of a molecule, such as, streptavidin to the support and the non-covalent binding of the biotinylated probe to the streptavidin. By “covalent binding” and grammatical equivalents herein is meant that the two moieties, the solid support and the probe, are attached by at least one bond, including sigma bonds, pi bonds and coordination. bonds. Covalent bonds can be formed directly between the probe and the solid support or can be formed by a cross linker or by inclusion of a specific reactive group on either the solid support or the probe or both molecules. Immobilization may also involve a combination of covalent and non-covalent interactions.

In general, the probes are attached to the biochip in a wide variety of ways, as will be appreciated by those in the art. As described herein, the nucleic acids can either be synthesized first, with subsequent attachment to the biochip, or can be directly synthesized on the biochip.

The biochip comprises a suitable solid substrate. “By substrate” or “solid support” or other grammatical equivalents herein is meant any material that can be modified to contain discrete individual sites appropriate for the attachment or association of the nucleic acid probes and is amenable to at least one detection method. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the number of possible substrates are very large, and include, but are not limited to, glass and modified or functionalized glass, plastics (including acrylics, polystyrene and copolymers of styrene and other materials, polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, polyurethanes, TeflonJ, etc.), polysaccharides, nylon or nitrocellulose, resins, silica or silica-based materials including silicon and modified silicon, carbon, metals, inorganic glasses, plastics, etc. In general, the substrates allow optical detection and do not appreciably show fluorescence.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the biochip and the probe may be derivatized with chemical functional groups for subsequent attachment of the two. Thus, for example, the biochip is derivatized with a chemical functional group including, but not limited to, amino groups, carboxy groups, oxo groups and thiol groups, with amino groups being particularly preferred. Using these functional groups, the probes can be attached using functional groups on the probes. For example, nucleic acids containing amino groups can be attached to surfaces comprising amino groups, for example using linkers as are known in the art; for example, homo-or hetero-bifunctional linkers as are well known (see 1994 Pierce Chemical Company catalog, technical section on cross-linkers, pages 155-200, incorporated herein by reference). In addition, in some cases, additional linkers, such as alkyl groups (including substituted and heteroalkyl groups) may be used.

In this embodiment, oligonucleotides, corresponding to the nucleic acid probe, are synthesized as is known in the art, and then attached to the surface of the solid support. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, either the 5′ or 3′ terminus may be attached to the solid support, or attachment may be via an internal nucleoside.

In an additional embodiment, the immobilization to the solid support may be very strong, yet non-covalent. For example, biotinylated oligonucleotides can be made, which bind to surfaces covalently coated with streptavidin, resulting in attachment.

Alternatively, the oligonucleotides may be synthesized on the surface, as is known in the art. For example, photoactivation techniques utilizing photopolymerization compounds and techniques are used. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acids can be synthesized in situ, using well known photolithographic techniques, such as those described in WO 95/25116; WO 95/35505; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,637 and 5,445,934; and references cited within, all of which are expressly incorporated by reference; these methods of attachment form the basis of the Affimetrix GeneChip™ technology.

“Differential expression,” or grammatical equivalents as used herein, refers to both qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the genes' temporal and/or cellular expression patterns within and among the cells. Thus, a differentially expressed gene can qualitatively have its expression altered, including an activation or inactivation, in, for example, normal versus apoptotic cell. That is, genes may be turned on or turned off in a particular state, relative to another state. As is apparent to the skilled artisan, any comparison of two or more states can be made. Such a qualitatively regulated gene will exhibit an expression pattern within a state or cell type which is detectable by standard techniques in one such state or cell type, but is not detectable in both. Alternatively, the determination is quantitative in that expression is increased or decreased; that is, the expression of the gene is either unregulated, resulting in an increased amount of transcript, or downregulated, resulting in a decreased amount of transcript. The degree to which expression differs need only be large enough to quantify via standard characterization techniques as outlined below, such as by use of Affymetrix GeneChip™ expression arrays, Lockhart, Nature Biotechnology, 14:1675-1680 (1996), hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Other techniques include, but are not limited to, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, Northern analysis and RNase protection.

As will be appreciated by those in the art, this may be done by evaluation at either the gene transcript, or the protein level; that is, the amount of gene expression may be monitored using nucleic acid probes to the DNA or RNA equivalent of the gene transcript, and the quantification of gene expression levels, or, alternatively, the final gene product itself (protein) can be monitored, for example through the use of antibodies to the cell cycle protein and standard immunoassays (ELISAs, etc.) or other techniques, including mass spectroscopy assays, 2D gel electrophoresis assays, etc.

In another method detection of the mRNA is performed in situ. In this method permeabilized cells or tissue samples are contacted with a detectably labeled nucleic acid probe for sufficient time to allow the probe to hybridize with the target mRNA. Following washing to remove the non-specifically bound probe, the label is detected. For example a digoxygenin labeled riboprobe (RNA probe) that is complementary to the mRNA encoding an cell cycle protein is detected by binding the digoxygenin with an anti-digoxygenin secondary antibody and developed with nitro blue tetrazolium and 5-bromo4-chloro-3-indoyl phosphate.

In another preferred method, expression of cell cycle protein is performed using in situ imaging techniques employing antibodies to cell cycle proteins. In this method cells are contacted with from one to many antibodies to the cell cycle protein(s). Following washing to remove non-specific antibody binding, the presence of the antibody or antibodies is detected. In one embodiment the antibody is detected by incubating with a secondary antibody that contains a detectable label. In another method the primary antibody to the cell cycle protein(s) contains a detectable label. In another preferred embodiment each one of multiple primary antibodies contains a distinct and detectable label. This method finds particular use in simultaneous screening for a plurality of cell cycle proteins. The label may be detected in a fluorometer which has the ability to detect and distinguish emissions of different wavelengths. In addition, a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) can be used in this method. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, numerous other histological imaging techniques are useful in the invention and the antibodies can be used in ELISA, immunoblotting (Western blotting), immunoprecipitation, BIACORE technology, and the like.

In one embodiment, the cell cycle proteins of the present invention may be used to generate. polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to cell cycle proteins, which are useful as described herein. Similarly, the cell cycle proteins can be coupled, using standard technology, to affinity chromatography columns. These columns may then be used to purify cell cycle antibodies. In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies are generated to epitopes unique to the cell cycle protein; that is, the antibodies show little or no cross-reactivity to other proteins. These antibodies find use in a number of applications. For example, the cell cycle antibodies may be coupled to standard affinity chromatography columns and used to purify cell cycle proteins as further described below. The antibodies may also be used as blocking polypeptides, as outlined above, since they will specifically bind to the cell cycle protein.

The anti-cell cycle protein antibodies may comprise polyclonal antibodies. Methods of preparing polyclonal antibodies are known to the skilled artisan. Polyclonal antibodies can be raised in a mammal, for example, by one or more injections of an immunizing agent and, if desired, an adjuvant. Typically, the immunizing agent and/or adjuvant will be injected in the mammal by multiple subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections. The immunizing agent may include the cell cycle protein or a fusion protein thereof. It may be useful to conjugate the immunizing agent to a protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized. Examples of such immunogenic proteins include but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Examples of adjuvants which may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant and MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid a, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate). The immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation.

The anti-cell cycle protein antibodies may, alternatively, be monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler, et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975). In a hybridoma method, a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, the lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.

The immunizing agent will typically include the cell cycle protein or a fusion protein thereof. Generally, either peripheral blood lymphocytes (“PBLs”) are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell [Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press, (1986) pp. 59-103]. Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The hybridoma cells may be cultured in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells. For example, if the parental cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (“HAT medium”), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

Preferred immortalized cell lines are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high level expression of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. More preferred immortalized cell lines are murine myeloma lines, which can be obtained, for instance, from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif. and the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies [Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur, et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, pp. 51-63 (1987)].

The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can then be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against cell cycle protein. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in the art. The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson, et al., Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).

After the desired hybridoma cells are identified, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods [Goding, supra]. Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and RPMI-1640 medium. Alternatively, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites in a mammal.

The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones may be isolated or purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein a-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

The monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells of the invention serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. The DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy and light chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences [U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison, et al., supra] or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Such a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide can be substituted for the constant domains of an antibody of the invention, or can be substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody of the invention to create a chimeric bivalent antibody.

The antibodies may be monovalent antibodies. Methods for preparing monovalent antibodies are well known in the art. For example, one method involves recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light chain and modified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncated generally at any point in the Fc region so as to prevent heavy chain crosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues are substituted with another amino acid residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking.

In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies. Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly, Fab fragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in the art.

The anti-cell cycle protein antibodies of the invention may further comprise humanized antibodies or human antibodies. Humanized forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂ or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementary determining region (CDR) of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin [Jones, et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann, et al., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol., 2:593-596 (1992)].

Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as “import” residues, which are typically taken from an “import” variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers [Jones, et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann, et al., Nature, 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen, et al., Science, 239:1534-1536 (1988)], by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such “humanized” antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

Human antibodies can also be produced using various techniques known in the art, including phage display libraries (Hoogenboom, et al, J. Mol. Biol., 227:381 (1991); Marks, et al., J. Mol. Biol, 222:581 (1991)1. The techniques of Cole, et al. and Boerner, et al. are also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole, et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1985); Boerner, et al., J. Immunol., 147(1):86-95 (1991)]. Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introducing of human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and antibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,661,016, and in the following scientific publications: Marks, et al., Bio/Technology, 10:779-783 (1992); Lonberg, et al., Nature, 368:856-859 (1994); Morrison, Nature, 368:812-13 (1994); Fishwild, et al., Nature Biotechnology, 14:845-51 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnology, 14:826 (1996); Lonberg, et al., Intern. Rev. Immunol., 13:65-93 (1995).

Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, preferably human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens. In the present case, one of the binding specificities is for the cell cycle protein, the other one is for any other antigen, and preferably for a cell-surface protein or receptor or receptor subunit.

Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy-chain/light-chain pairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities [Milstein, et al., Nature, 305:537-539 (1983)]. Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of ten different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. The purification of the correct molecule is usually accomplished by affinity chromatography steps. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829, published May 13, 1993, and in Traunecker, et al., EMBO J., 10:3655-3659 (1991).

Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) can be fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavychain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy-chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh, et al., Methods in Enzymology, 121:210 (1986).

Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the present invention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells [U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980], and for treatment of HIV infection [WO 91/00360; WO 92/200373; EP 03089]. It is contemplated that the antibodies may be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may be constructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

The anti-cell cycle protein antibodies of the invention have various utilities. For example, anti-cell cycle protein antibodies may be used in diagnostic assays for an cell cycle protein, e.g., detecting its expression in specific cells, tissues, or serum. Various diagnostic assay techniques known in the art may be used, such as competitive binding assays, direct or indirect sandwich assays and immunoprecipitation assays conducted in either heterogeneous or homogeneous phases [Zola, Monoclonal Antibodies: a Manual of Techniques, CRC Press, Inc. pp. 147-158 (1987)]. The antibodies used in the diagnostic assays can be labeled with a detectable moiety. The detectable moiety should be capable of producing, either directly or indirectly, a detectable signal. For example, the detectable moiety may be a radioisotope, such as ³H, ¹⁴C, ³²P, ³⁵S, or ¹²⁵I, a fluorescent or chemiluminescent compound, such as fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, or luciferin, or an enzyme, such as alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase or horseradish peroxidase. Any method known in the art for conjugating the antibody to the detectable moiety may be employed, including those methods described by Hunter, et al., Nature, 144:945 (1962); David, et al., Biochemistry, 13:1014 (1974); Pain, et al., J. Immunol. Meth., 40:219 (1981); and Nygren, J. Histochem and Cytochem., 30:407 (1982).

Anti-Cell cycle protein antibodies also are useful for the affinity purification of cell cycle protein from recombinant cell culture or natural sources. In this process, the antibodies against cell cycle protein are immobilized on a suitable support, such a Sephadex resin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibody then is contacted with a sample containing the cell cycle protein to be purified, and thereafter the support is washed with a suitable solvent that will remove substantially all the material in the sample except the cell cycle protein, which is bound to the immobilized antibody. Finally, the support is washed with another suitable solvent that will release the cell cycle protein from the antibody.

The anti-cell cycle protein antibodies may also be used in treatment. In one embodiment, the genes encoding the antibodies are provided, such that the antibodies bind to and modulate the cell cycle protein within the cell.

In one embodiment, a therapeutically effective dose of an cell cycle protein, agonist or antagonist is administered to a patient. By “therapeutically effective dose” herein is meant a dose that produces the effects for which it is administered. The exact dose will depend on the purpose of the treatment, and will be ascertainable by one skilled in the art using known techniques. As is known in the art, adjustments for cell cycle protein degradation, systemic versus localized delivery, as well as the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, drug interaction and the severity of the condition may be necessary, and will be ascertainable with routine experimentation by those skilled in the art.

A “patient” for the purposes of the present invention includes both humans and other animals, particularly mammals, and organisms. Thus the methods are applicable to both human therapy and veterinary applications. In the preferred embodiment the patient is a mammal, and in the most preferred embodiment the patient is human.

The administration of the cell cycle protein, agonist or antagonist of the present invention can be done in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, orally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intranasally, transdermally, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intrapulmonary, vaginally, rectally, or intraocularly. In some instances, for example, in the treatment of wounds and inflammation, the composition may be directly applied as a solution or spray. Depending upon the manner of introduction, the compounds may be formulated in a variety of ways. The concentration of therapeutically active compound in the formulation may vary from about 0.1-100 wt. %.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise an cell cycle protein, agonist or antagonist (including antibodies and bioactive agents as described herein) in a form suitable for administration to a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are in a water soluble form, such as being present as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, which is meant to include both acid and base addition salts. “Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt” refers to those salts that retain the biological effectiveness of the free bases and that are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid and the like. “Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts” include those derived from inorganic-bases such as sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, and ethanolamine.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also include one or more of the following: carrier proteins such as serum albumin; buffers; fillers such as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, corn and other starches; binding agents; sweeteners and other flavoring agents; coloring agents; and polyethylene glycol. Additives are well known in the art, and are used in a variety of formulations.

Combinations of the compositions may be administered. Moreover, the compositions may be administered in combination with other therapeutics, including growth factors or chemotherapeutics and/or radiation. Targeting agents (i.e. ligands for receptors on cancer cells) may also be combined with the compositions provided herein.

In one embodiment provided herein, the antibodies are used for immunotherapy, thus, methods of immunotherapy are provided. By “immunotherapy” is meant treatment of cell cycle protein related disorders with an antibody raised against a cell cycle protein. As used herein, immunotherapy can be passive or active. Passive immunotherapy, as defined herein, is the passive transfer of antibody to a recipient (patient). Active immunization is the induction of antibody and/or T-cell responses in a recipient (patient). Induction of an immune response can be the consequence of providing the recipient with an cell cycle protein antigen to which antibodies are raised. As appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the cell cycle protein antigen may be provided by injecting an cell cycle protein against which antibodies are desired to be raised into a recipient, or contacting the recipient with an cell cycle protein nucleic acid, capable of expressing the cell cycle protein antigen, under conditions for expression of the cell cycle protein antigen.

In a preferred embodiment, a therapeutic compound is conjugated to an antibody, preferably an cell cycle protein antibody. The therapeutic compound may be a cytotoxic agent. In this method, targeting the cytotoxic agent to apoptotic cells or tumor tissue or cells, results in a reduction in the number of afflicted cells, thereby reducing symptoms associated with apoptosis, cancer cell cycle protein related disorders. Cytotoxic agents are numerous and varied and include, but are not limited to, cytotoxic drugs or toxins or active fragments of such toxins. Suitable toxins and their corresponding fragments include diptheria A chain, exotoxin A chain, ricin A chain, abrin A chain, curcin, crotin, phenomycin, enomycin and the like. Cytotoxic agents also include radiochemicals made by conjugating radioisotopes to antibodies raised against cell cycle proteins, or binding of a radionuclide to a chelating agent that has been covalently attached to the antibody.

In a preferred embodiment, cell cycle protein genes are administered as DNA vaccines, either single nucleic acids or combinations of cell cycle protein genes. Naked DNA vaccines are generally known in the art; see Brower, Nature Biotechnology, 16:1304-1305 (1998). Methods for the use of nucleic acids as DNA vaccines are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and include placing an cell cycle protein gene or portion of an cell cycle protein nucleic acid under the control of a promoter for expression in a patient. The cell cycle protein gene used for DNA vaccines can encode full-length cell cycle proteins, but more preferably encodes portions of the cell cycle proteins including peptides derived from the cell cycle protein. In a preferred embodiment a patient is immunized with a DNA vaccine comprising a plurality of nucleotide sequences derived from a cell cycle protein gene. Similarly, it is possible to immunize a patient with a plurality of cell cycle protein genes or portions thereof, as defined herein. Without being bound by theory, following expression of the polypeptide encoded by the DNA vaccine, cytotoxic T-cells, helper T-cells and antibodies are induced which recognize and destroy or eliminate cells expressing cell cycle proteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the DNA vaccines include a gene encoding an adjuvant molecule with the DNA vaccine. Such adjuvant molecules include cytokines that increase the immunogenic response to the cell cycle protein encoded by the DNA vaccine. Additional or alternative adjuvants are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and find use in the invention.

The following example serves to more fully describe the manner of using the above-described invention, as well as to set forth the best modes contemplated for carrying out various aspects of the invention. It is understood that this example in no way serve to limit the true scope of this invention, but rather are presented for illustrative purposes. All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Moreover, all sequences displayed, cited by reference or accession number in the references are incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLE 1 Cloning, Tissue Distribution, Binding, Activation and Regulation Functions of Tnik

Antibodies and cytokines—Antibodies used in this report include: anti-HA mAb (Babco) and pAb (Santa Cruz Biotechnology); anti-FLAG mAb (Sigma) and pAb (Santa Cruz); anti-Myc mAb (Babco); anti-Traf2 pAb (Santa Cruz); anti-NCK mAb (Transduction Labs); anti-β-actin mAb (Sigma). TNFα was purchased from Calbiochem.

Cloning of full length Tnik and Northern blotting—Using yeast two-hybrid screening, overlapping cDNA fragments were identified that interacted with Traf2 and NCK. The sequences of the fragments were contained in a partial cDNA clone, KIAA0551 (Accession number AB01123), at GenBank. Antisense oligos TGCGCTTATATTCCAGAAGTAGAGCT and CTGTCTCTGCTCCTCCTCTA were designed according to the 5′ end sequence of KIAA0551 and the full length Tnik cDNA was cloned from reverse transcribed human brain mRNA by RACE-PCR. Northern blotting was performed on human multi-tissue Northern blot according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Clontech). A PCR product amplified from nucleotide 1264 to nucleotide 2427 of Tnik coding region was used as a probe.

Plasmid construction—Full length human Tnik was cloned into pCI (Promega) derived expression vector pYCI under the control of the CMV promoter with an HA epitope tag (AYPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO:25)) inserted on the N-terminus by PCR. A kinase mutant form of Tnik was constructed using the QuikChange mutagenesis kit (Stratagene) with Oligos AGCTTGCAGCCATCAGGGTTATGGATGTCAC (SEQ ID NO:26) and GTGACATCCATAACCTTGATGGCTGCAAGCT (SEQ ID NO:27) to change the highly conserved lysine 54 in the kinase domain to arginine. Full length human Traf2 was cloned into pYCI with a FLAG epitope tag (DYKDDDDKG (SEQ ID NO:28)) inserted on the N-terminus by PCR. Full length human NCK was similarly cloned into pYCI with a FLAG epitope tag at the N-terminus. Myc-JNK2 and Myc-ERK1 were constructed in the pCR3.1 vector with a Myc epitope tag (ASMEQKLISEEDLN (SEQ ID NO:29)) inserted on the N-terminus of JNK2 and ERK1, respectively. All the truncation mutants were constructed by PCR. For construction of the GFP-Tnik fusion protein, full length Tnik was PCR amplified from pYCI-Tnik and inserted in frame onto the 3′ end of GFP. All constructs were verified by DNA sequencing. construction of the GFP-Tnik fusion protein, full length Tnik was PCR amplified from pYCI-Tnik and inserted in frame onto the 3′ end of GFP. All constructs were verified by DNA sequencing.

Cell culture, transfection of Phoenix-A cells and immunoprecipitation—Phoenix-A cells (derivatives of 293 cells) (Coligan, et al., Current Protocols in Immunology [supplement], 31:10.28.1-10.28.17 (1999)) were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Transfection of Phoenix-A cells was performed using the standard calcium phosphate method (Coligan, et al., Current Protocols in Immunology [supplement], 31:10.28.1-10.28.17 (1999)). Either 4×10⁵ cells in a 6-well plate or 3×10⁶ cells in a 100 mm tissue culture dish were seeded 16 hours before transfection. 3 μg of DNA was used in the transfection for each well of a 6-well plate, and 10 μg DNA was used for each 100 mm dish. Media was changed 8 hours after transfection. Cells were lysed in lysis buffer (1% NP-40, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl) with protease inhibitors (Boehringer Mannheim) and analyzed 24 hours after transfection. Cell lysates were cleared by centrifugation (14,000 RPM×10 min). For immunoprecipitation studies, cell lysates (2×106 cells/lane) were rotated with 2-3 μg of desired antibodies and 20 μl 50% slurry of protein A Sepharose (Pharmacia) for 1.5 hrs. Immune complexes were precipitated and the pellets washed three times with lysis buffer. Washed precipitates were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis and Western blotting. Supersignal and Supersignal West Duro substrates (Piers) were used as detection systems for the Western blotting.

In vitro kinase assays—For the JNK in vitro kinase assay, Myc-JNK2 was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with Tnik mutants, Traf2 or MEKK as described above. 24 hours after transfection, cells were lysed with lysis buffer supplemented with 20 mM β-glycerophospate, 1 mM NaF, 1 mM Na₃VO₄ and protease inhibitors. Myc-JNK2 was precipitated from clarified cell lysates with an anti-Myc mAb and the pellets were washed three times with lysis buffer and two times with kinase buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 10 mM MnCl₂, 10 mM MgCl₂, 20 mM β-glycerophosphate, 1 mM NaF, 1 mM Na₃VO₄, 0.5 mM DTT). For the kinase reactions, immunoprecipitates were incubated with 1 μg glutathion S-transferase (GST) c-Jun (1-79) (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) in 20 μl kinase buffer supplemented with 1 μM PKI peptide (Sigma), 10 μM ATP, 5 μCi y-p³² ATP for 20 minutes at 30 ° C. Kinase reactions were stopped by addition of 20 μl 2×SDS sample buffer (Norvex), heated at 95° C. for 5 minutes and then loaded onto SDS-PAGE. ERK and p38 in vitro kinase assays were conducted in a similar fashion. For ERK kinase assays, an anti-Myc mAb was used to immunoprecipitate Myc-ERK1 and Myelin Basic Protein (MBP, Sigma) was used as an exogenous substrate. For p38 kinase assays, an anti-FLAG mAb was used to immunoprecipitate FLAG-p38 and GST-ATF2 (Santa Cruz) was used as an exogenous substrate. For in vitro kinase assays on Tnik, 3 μg wild type HA-Tnik or 3 μg kinase mutant form of HA-Tnik was expressed in Phoenix-A cells and immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA antibody. Immune complexes were subjected to kinase assays as described above in the absence or presence of 0.5 μg Gelsolin as an exogenous substrate.

Fluorescent microscopy—Phoenix-A cells seeded in 6-well plates were co-transfected with GFP and Tnik constructs as described above. 24 hours after transfection, cells were observed using a Nikon Eclipse TE 300 fluorescent microscope. For detection of apoptosis, Hoechst 33258 (sigma?) was added to transfected Phoenix-A cells (final concentration 5 μg/ml) and the cells were incubated for 30 min at 37° C. before microscopic observation.

Determination of actin distribution—4×10⁵ Phoenix-A cells in 6-well plate were transfected with 3 μg of control vector, HA-Tnik(WT) or HA-Tnik(KM). 24 hours after transfection, culture media were carefully removed. Cells were lysed directly on the plate using 250 μl Triton X-100 lysis buffer (1% Triton X-100, 150 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4) with protease inhibitors. Cell lysates were centrifuged at 14,000 RPM for 10 min. Supernatants represented the Triton X-100 soluble fraction. Pellets were washed once with 500 μl Triton X-100 lysis buffer and dissolved in 500 μl of 1×SDS sample buffer. DNA was sheared by sonication. This represented the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction. Triton X-100 soluble and insoluble fractions derived from the same number of cells were resolved on SDS-PAGE and blotted with an anti-o-actin mAb to determine the content of F- and G-actin.

Molecular cloning of Tnik—Using a human brain cDNA library and a T/B cell library in our yeast two-hybrid pathway mapping effort, we identified a novel Germinal Center Kinase family member that interacted with both TRAF2 and NCK. The 5′ end sequence was cloned from cDNAs prepared from human brain mRNA by RACE-PCR and full length cDNA clones of were obtained by RT-PCR. (FIG. 1).

The longest Tnik clone was encoded by a polypeptide of 1360 amino acids: It had an N-terminal kinase domain, an intermediate domain and a C-terminal Germinal Center Kinase Homology (GCKH) region. It shared about 90% amino acid identity with a previously cloned GCK family member, NCK Interacting Kinase (NIK), in both the kinase domain and the GCKH domain (Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)). However, Tnik was only 40% identical to NIK in the intermediate region (FIG. 1, 3). Two shorter clones of Tnik were also obtained: one lacked nucleotides 1338-1424 (amino acids 447-475) and nucleotides 2383-2406 (amino acids 795-802), and the other lacked those two regions plus nucleotides 1609-1773 (aa 537-591) (FIG. 3).

Primers encompassing these three alternatively spliced regions were designed and used for PCR from spleen, heart and brain cDNAs. The relative amounts of the different isoforms, seen as multiple bands amplified from both spleen and brain, varied among the different tissues (FIG. 2). Amplified DNA fragments were cloned into a TA cloning vector and the inserts sequenced. All eight combinations from the alternative splicing of these three regions were identified. These eight spliced isoforms of Tnik were designated as Tnik, to Tnik₈ (FIG. 3). Tnik₁ was used in all the experiments described herein.

To determine kinase activity, a putative kinase mutant form of Tnik, designated as Tnik(KM), was constructed with a conserved lysine (Lys-54) residue in the ATP binding pocket mutated to arginine. An HA epitope tag was inserted on the N-terminal portion of Tnik(WT) and Tnik(KM). Both proteins were transiently expressed in Phoenix-A cells, and the expressed proteins were subjected to immunoprecipitation and an in vitro kinase assay. A strong phosphorylated band at 150 kD was detected in the Tnik(WT) expressed lane, but not in the Tnik(KM) expressed lane (FIG. 4, lanes 1, 2). Immunoblotting with an anti-HA antibody showed equal levels of expression of both Tnik(WT) and Tnik(KM) at 150 kD (FIG. 4, lanes 3, 4). Therefore, the phosphorylated band in the in vitro kinase assay represented autophosphorylated Tnik, and the Tnik(KM) mutant was deficient in protein kinase activity.

Tissue distribution of Tnik—The expression pattern of the Tnik message was examined by human multi-tissue Northern blot. Since Tnik shared high homology with NIK, a probe corresponding to nucleotides 1264-2427 of Tnik was used to rule out any potential cross-hybridization. This region shared only 40% amino acid identity with NIK. Three major bands of sizes 6.5 kb, 7.5 kb and 9.5 kb were detected (FIG. 5). Alternative splicing in the coding region described above is unlikely to account for the size differences among the three messages, since the largest isoform is only 273 bps bigger than the smallest isoform. Alternative splicing in the untranslated region or alternative usage of polyA sites could be possible explanations. This phenomenon is not unique to Tnik. NIK and HGK also have multiple message sizes. Tnik is ubiquitously expressed, with higher levels of message detected in heart, brain and skeletal muscle. Interestingly, heart and skeletal muscle predominantly expressed the 6.5 kb form; placenta, kidney and pancreas predominantly expressed the 7.5 kb form; brain, lung and liver expressed all three forms at a similar level. It is currently unknown whether these messages have different functional roles.

Interaction of Tnik with TRAF2 and NCK—To confirm the interaction of Tnik with TRAF2, N-terminal HA-tagged Tnik was transiently expressed in Phoenix-A cells and HA-Tnik was immunoprecipitated by an anti-HA antibody. The immune complexes were resolved on SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with an anti-TRAF2 antibody. Endogenous TRAF2 specifically co-immunoprecipitated with HA-Tnik (FIG. 6, top panel). To map the interaction domain on Tnik that mediated its interaction with TRAF2, we constructed several truncated forms of HA-tagged Tnik (FIG. 7) and co-expressed them with FLAG-tagged TRAF2. Anti-HA immunoprecipitates were then blotted with an anti-FLAG antibody to detect the co-immunoprecipitated FLAG-TRAF2. Tnik(WT), Tnik(N2), Tnik(C1) and Tnik(M) all co-immunoprecipitated with FLAG-TRAF2, suggesting that the intermediate domain of Tnik is sufficient for Tnik to interact with TRAF2 (FIG. 8, top panel, lanes 1, 3, 4, 6). However, Tnik(C2) consistently showed weak interaction with TRAF2 (lane 5), suggesting that the GCKH domain was also involved in the interaction with TRAF2. Tnik(N1), the Tnik mutant with only the kinase domain, failed to interact with TRAF2 (lane 2). Expression levels of the transfected proteins were controlled by immunoblotting cell lysates with anti-HA and anti-FLAG antibodies (FIG. 8, middle and bottom panels). In addition, Tnik₈, the shortest form of Tnik, was still able to interact with Traf2 (data not shown), suggesting that the three alternatively spliced exons were not required for TniK to interact with Traf2.

We then mapped the domains on TRAF2 that mediated the interaction with Tnik. FLAG-tagged TRAF2 mutants (FIG. 9) were co-expressed with HA-Tnik and the lysates were subjected to anti-HA immunoprecipitation. The immune complexes were then blotted with an anti-FLAG antibody. TRAF2(Wr), TRAF2(87-501) and TRAF2(272-501) were all able to co-immunoprecipitate with HA-Tnik, while TRAF2(1-272) failed to interact with HA-Tnik (FIG. 10, top panel). Immunoblotting cell lysates with anti-HA and anti-FLAG antibodies showed comparable expression levels of the transfected proteins (FIG. 10, middle and bottom panels). This result suggested that the TRAF domain is required for TRAF2 to interact with Tnik. However, since the interaction of full-length TRAF2 with Tnik is stronger then that of either TRAF2(87-501) or TRAF2(272-501), the N-terminal ring finger may directly contribute to the interaction or may stabilize the configuration of the TRAF2 molecule to facilitate this interaction.

Interaction of Tnik with NCK—The interaction of Tnik with NCK was investigated in a similar fashion. Following transient expression of HA-Tnik in Phoenix-A cells, the cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA antibody and blotted with an anti-NCK antibody. Endogenous NCK specifically co-immunoprecipitated with HA-Tnik (FIG. 11, top panel). To map the domains on Tnik required for this interaction, HA-tagged Tnik mutants were co-expressed with FLAG-tagged NCK and the HA-Tnik mutants were immunoprecipitated with an anti-HA antibody. The immune complexes were then blotted with an anti-FLAG antibody. Tnik(WT), Tnik(N2), Tnik(C1) and Tnik(M) were all able to associate with NCK, suggesting that the intermediate domain is also sufficient for Tnik to bind NCK (FIG. 12, top panel, lanes 1, 3, 4, 6). Neither the GCKH domain nor the kinase domain showed any detectable binding to NCK (lanes 2, 5). Immunoblotting cell lysates with anti-HA and anti-FLAG antibodies showed equivalent levels of expression of the transfected preoteins (FIG. 12, middle and bottom panels).

Activation of JNK2 by Tnik—We further examined whether Tnik was able to activate the JNK pathway. 1 μg, 2 μg or 3 μg of Tnik expression plasmid was co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with Myc-JNK2. 24 hours after transfection, Myc-JNK2 was immunoprecipitated from cell lysates and its kinase activity measured using GST-cJun(1-79) as a substrate. Co-transfection of Tnik enhanced JNK2 kinase activity in a dose dependent fashion (FIG. 13, top panel, lanes1, 3-5). When 3 μg of Tnik was transfected, JNK2 activity was enhanced 3-4 fold. A similar magnitude of JNK2 activation was observed when cells were treated for 15 minutes with 100 ng/ml of TNF (lanes 1, 2 and 5). Also consistent with published result (Natoli, et al., Science, 275:200-203 (1997)), TRAF2 potently activated JNK2 activity (lane 6). The expression levels of Myc-JNK2 were controlled by immunoblotting cell lysates with an anti-Myc antibody (FIG. 13, bottom panel).

To determine whether Tnik can also activate the ERK and p38 pathways, Myc-ERK1 and FLAG-p38 were co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with different doses of Tnik. The transfected kinases were then immunoprecipitated from cell lysates and the kinase activities measured using MBP and GST-ATF2 as exogenous substrates. In contrast to JNK2, neither ERK1 nor p38 was activated by Tnik overexpression, while co-transfection of MEKK1 potently activated both kinases (FIG. 14, 15). In addition, Tnik did not activate NF-KB (data not shown).

To further investigate the mechanism of this activation, the cohort of Tnik mutants were co-transfected into Phoenix-A cells with Myc-JNK2 and the ability of these mutants to up-regulate JNK2 kinase activity was examined by the in vitro kinase assay. Tnik(WT), Tnik(KM), Tnik(C1) and Tnik(C2) were all able to activate Myc-JNK2, while Tnik(N1), Tnik(N2), Tnik(M) were not (FIG. 16). This result suggested that the C-terminal GCKH region is both necessary and sufficient for activation of the JNK pathway, while the kinase domain is dispensable.

Regulation of the cytoskeleton by Tnik—When Tnik was overexpressed in Phoenix-A cells, the cells showed a striking morphological change. In control GFP transfected cells, more than 80% of GFP positive cells were adherent and well-spread (FIG. 6A, top row, left panel). In contrast, in Tnik and GFP co-transfected cells, more than 80% of GFP positive cells showed inhibited cell spreading. These cells rounded up and lost attachment to the plate (FIG. 6A, top row, right panel). Similar morphologic change was also observed in Hela and NIH-3T3 cells transfected with Tnik(data not shown). We then transfected the cohort of Tnik mutants into Phoenix-A cells to determine which domain of Tnik was involved in inducing the morphologic change. Tnik(KM), Tnik(C1) and Tnik(C2), which lacked the kinase activity, failed to induce the morphologic change (left column, middle and bottom panels and data not shown), while Tnik(N1) and Tnik(N2) were both competent in inducing the inhibition of cell spreading (FIG. 6A, right column, middle panel and data not shown). Therefore, the kinase domain, rather than the GCKH domain required for JNK activation, was both necessary and sufficient for Tnik to regulate cell spreading. This result suggested that the JNK pathway was not involved in this regulation. Consistent with this hypothesis, overexpression of Myc-JNK failed to inhibit cell spreading (FIG. 6A, right column, bottom panel). Since JNK has been implicated in inducing apoptosis in some cells (Basu, et al., Oncogene, 17:3277-3285 (1998)), we examined whether cells transfected with Tnik were undergoing apoptosis. Nuclei of phoenix-A cells transfected with control vector, Tnik(WT), Tnik(KM) or RIP were stained with Hoechst 33258(FIG. 6B). No apoptotic body was observed in vector, Tnik(WT) or Tnik(KM) transfected cells, while apototic bodies were readily detected in greater than 60% of cells transfected with a control RIP cDNA(FIG. 6B). In addition, no activation of caspases was observed in Tnik transfected cells (data not shown). Taken together, these results suggested that Tnik did not induce apotosis in transfected phoenix-A cells.

These observations raised the possibility that overexpression of Tnik might have disrupted intracellular F-actin structure. We therefore examined actin distribution in the Triton X-100 soluble (G-actin) and insoluble (F-actin) fractions in control vector, Tnik and Tnik(KM) transfected Phoenix-A cells. Overexpression of wild type Tnik, but not Tnik(KM), resulted in the enhanced distribution of actin in Triton X-100 soluble fraction, consistent with the reduced spreading observed in these cells (FIG. 6C). We hypothesized that overexpression of Tnik may lead to phosphorylation of cytoskeletal components. Recently, a GCK family protein kinase that could phosphorylate the actin-fragmenting protein Severin was purified and cloned from Dictyostelium (Eichinger, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:12952-12959 (1998)). We therefore decided to test whether Tnik was able to phosphorylate the mammalian Severin homologue, Gelsolin (Yin, et al., Nature, 281:583-586 (1979)). Tnik and Tnik(KM) were expressed in Phoenix-A cells, immunoprecipitated and incubated in an in vitro kinase assay with purified Gelsolin. Wild type Tnik, but not the kinase mutant form of Tnik, phosphorylated Gelsolin in vitro (FIG. 6D).

Unlike any other GCK family members, both the kinase mutant form of Tnik and the GCKH domain of Tnik were as effective as the wild type protein in JNK2 activation, and the kinase domain alone of Tnik was virtually ineffective (FIG. 16). This result suggested that the C-terminal GCKH domain was solely responsible for the activation. This is in contrast to other GCK family kinases, which activate the JNK pathway either using the kinase domain alone, as is seen with GCKR, HGK and HPK1, or using the kinase domain plus the GCKH region, which is seen with GCK, GLK and NIK (Pombo, et al., Nature, 377:750-754 (1995); Shi, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:32102-32107 (1997); Kiefer, et al., EMBO J., 15:7013-7025 (1996); Diener, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:9687-9692 (1997); Yao, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 274:2118-2125 (1999); Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290, (1997)). The GCKH domain of NIK interacted with MEKK1, and the dominant negative mutant of MEKK1 inhibited NIK induced JNK activation (Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)). Given the high level of sequence identity between the GCKH of NIK and the GCKH of Tnik, Tnik likely activated the JNK pathway through MEKK1.

NIK was cloned by its ability to interact with the adapter protein NCK. It associated with NCK SH3 domains via two PxxPxR sequences in the intermediate domain, PCPPSR (SEQ ID NO:30) (aa 574-579) and PRVPVR (SEQ ID NO:31) (aa 611-616). Both sequences were required for efficient interaction (Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)). Similar to NIK, Tnik also interacted with NCK via the intermediate domain. However, PCPPSR (SEQ ID NO:30) is not conserved in Tnik. Instead, Tnik contained two other PxxPxR sequences, PNLPPR (SEQ ID NO:32) (aa 562-567) and PPLPTR (SEQ ID NO:36) (aa 647-652), in addition to the conserved PKVPQR (SEQ ID NO:33) (aa 670-675). Tnik likely interacted with NCK through the cooperative interaction with these three PxxPxR sequences. NCK is an adapter protein involved in many growth factor receptor mediated signal transduction pathways (McCarthy, Bioessays, 20:913-921 (1998)). It has been proposed that the NIK-NCK interaction may recruit NIK to receptor or non-receptor tyrosine kinases to regulate MEKKI (Su, et al., EMBO J., 16:1279-1290 (1997)). Tnik may be recruited in a similar fashion.

Tnik also interacts via its intermediate domain with the TRAF domain of TRAF2. Both GCK and GCKR have been previously reported to interact with TRAF2 and it has been suggested that they mediate TRAF2 induced JNK activation (Pombo, et al., Nature, 377:750-754 (1995); Diener, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:9687-9692 (1997); Yuasa, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:22681-22692 (1998)). More recently, a Drosophila GCK family member, Misshapen (Msn), has been reported to interact with D-TRAF1 and mediate D-TRAF1 induced JNK activation (Liu, et al., Curr. Biol., 9:101-104 (1998)). Msn has highest homology to NIK and Tnik. Similar to NIK and Tnik, Msn also interacted with Dock, the Drosophila homologue of NCK (Liu, et al., Curr. Biol., 9:101-104 (1998)). In Drosophila, deficiency in Dock results in defective photoreceptor guidance (Garrity, et al., Cell, 85:639-650 (1996)), and in mammalian cells, NCK interacts with WASP, a CDC42 effector protein involved in the regulation of cytoskeleton (Symons, et al., Cell, 84:723-734 (1996); Rivero-Lezcano, et al., Mol. Cell Biol., 15:5725-5731 (1995)). These findings strongly suggest that the NCK pathway is closely linked to the cytoskeletal changes. Consistently, Msn deficiency leads to defective dorsal closure that requires extensive cell migration and cell shape changes in addition to the activation of the JNK pathway (Treisman, et al., Gene, 186:119-125 (1997)). Interaction of Msn with Dock may regulate these cell shape changes. Tnik may participate in the regulation of a similar pathway in mammalian cells.

Supporting this hypothesis, overexpression of Tnik inhibited cell spreading in Phoenix-A cells, NIH-3T3 cells and Hela cells (FIG. 6 and data not shown). This effect is likely due to the disruption of filamentous actin structure. No F-actin fiber could be detected by staining with TRITC-Phalloidin of NIH-3T3 cells transfected with a GFP-Tnik fusion protein, while F-actin fibers were abundant in cells transfected with GFP alone (data not shown). Consistent with this notion, overexpression of Tnik resulted in a decreased proportion of actin in the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction (FIG. 19). The Triton X-100 insoluble fraction contains the filamentous actin pool, while the Triton X-100 soluble fraction contains the globular actin monomers. This is the first evidence that a mammalian GCK family member exerts an effect on cytoskeletal organization. A Dictyostelium GCK member was recently cloned that can phosphorylate the Dictyostelium actin fragmenting protein, Severin, in vitro (Eichinger, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:12952-12959 (1998)). Interestingly, Tnik can phosphorylate the mammalian Severin homologue, Gelsolin, in vitro (FIG. 20). Gelsolin is also an F-actin fragmenting and capping enzyme that can reduce the content of F-actin. This result suggests that Tnik regulates F-actin assembly through Gelsolin or other related actin severing enzymes. This is consistent with the result that the kinase domain of Tnik is responsible for the regulation of cell spreading (FIG. 17). The mammalian p21-activated kinase, PAK1, which is distantly related to GCK family members and an effector protein of small G proteins Rac1 and CDC42, has been reported to regulate actin cytoskeleton organization. One proposed mechanism of the regulation is through phosphorylation and inhibition of the Myosin Light Chain Kinase (Sanders, et al., Science, 283:2083-2085 (1999)). Overexpression of a constitutively active form of PAK1 also resulted in the inhibition of cell spreading (Garrity, et al., Cell, 85:639-650 (1996)), an effect similar to that caused by overexpression of Tnik (FIG. 17 and 18).

36 1 4083 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 1 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatacat caggcgacag ttagaggagg agcagagaca gttagagatc 1380 ttgcagcagc agctactgca tgaacaagct ctacttctgg aatataagcg caaacaattg 1440 gaagaacaga gacaagcaga aagactgcag aggcagctaa agcaagaaag agactactta 1500 gtttcccttc agcatcagcg gcaggagcag aggcctgtgg agaagaagcc actgtaccat 1560 tacaaagaag gaatgagtcc tagtgagaag ccagcatggg ccaaggaggt agaagaacgg 1620 tcaaggctca accggcaaag ttcccctgcc atgcctcaca aggttgccaa caggatatct 1680 gaccccaacc tgcccccaag gtcggagtcc ttcagcatta gtggagttca gcctgctcga 1740 acacccccca tgctcagacc agtcgatccc cagatcccac atctggtagc tgtaaaatcc 1800 cagggacctg ccttgaccgc ctcccagtca gtgcacgagc agcccacaaa gggcctctct 1860 gggtttcagg aggctctgaa cgtgacctcc caccgcgtgg agatgccacg ccagaactca 1920 gatcccacct cggaaaatcc tcctctcccc actcgcattg aaaagtttga ccgaagctct 1980 tggttacgac aggaagaaga cattccacca aaggtgcctc aaagaacaac ttctatatcc 2040 ccagcattag ccagaaagaa ttctcctggg aatggtagtg ctctgggacc cagactagga 2100 tctcaaccca tcagagcaag caaccctgat ctccggagaa ctgagcccat cttggagagc 2160 cccttgcaga ggaccagcag tggcagttcc tccagctcca gcacccctag ctcccagccc 2220 agctcccaag gaggctccca gcctggatca caagcaggat ccagtgaacg caccagagtt 2280 cgagccaaca gtaagtcaga aggatcacct gtgcttcccc atgagcctgc caaggtgaaa 2340 ccagaagaat ccagggacat tacccggccc agtcgaccag ctagctacaa aaaagctata 2400 gatgaggatc tgacggcatt agccaaagaa ctaagagaac tccggattga agaaacaaac 2460 cgcccaatga agaaggtgac tgattactcc tcctccagtg aggagtcaga aagtagcgag 2520 gaagaggagg aagatggaga gagcgagacc catgatggga cagtggctgt cagcgacata 2580 cccagactga taccaacagg agctccaggc agcaacgagc agtacaatgt gggaatggtg 2640 gggacgcatg ggctggagac ctctcatgcg gacagtttca gcggcagtat ttcaagagaa 2700 ggaaccttga tgattagaga gacgtctgga gagaagaagc gatctggcca cagtgacagc 2760 aatggctttg ctggccacat caacctccct gacctggtgc agcagagcca ttctccagct 2820 ggaaccccga ctgagggact ggggcgcgtc tcaacccatt cccaggagat ggactctggg 2880 actgaatatg gcatggggag cagcaccaaa gcctccttca ccccctttgt ggaccccaga 2940 gtataccaga cgtctcccac tgatgaagat gaagaggatg aggaatcatc agccgcagct 3000 ctgtttacta gcgaacttct taggcaagaa caggccaaac tcaatgaagc aagaaagatt 3060 tcggtggtaa atgtaaaccc aaccaacatt cggcctcata gcgacacacc agaaatcaga 3120 aaatacaaga aacgattcaa ctcagaaata ctttgtgcag ctctgtgggg tgtaaacctt 3180 ctggtgggga ctgaaaatgg cctgatgctt ttggaccgaa gtgggcaagg caaagtctat 3240 aatctgatca accggaggcg atttcagcag atggatgtgc tagagggact gaatgtcctt 3300 gtgacaattt caggaaagaa gaataagcta cgagtttact atctttcatg gttaagaaac 3360 agaatactac ataatgaccc agaagtagaa aagaaacaag gctggatcac tgttggggac 3420 ttggaaggct gtatacatta taaagttgtt aaatatgaaa ggatcaaatt tttggtgatt 3480 gccttaaaga atgctgtgga aatatatgct tgggctccta aaccgtatca taaattcatg 3540 gcatttaagt cttttgcaga tctccagcac aagcctctgc tagttgatct cacggtagaa 3600 gaaggtcaaa gattaaaggt tatttttggt tcacacactg gtttccatgt aattgatgtt 3660 gattcaggaa actcttatga tatctacata ccatctcata ttcagggcaa tatcactcct 3720 catgctattg tcatcttgcc taaaacagat ggaatggaaa tgcttgtttg ctatgaggat 3780 gagggggtgt atgtaaacac ctatggccgg ataactaagg atgtggtgct ccaatgggga 3840 gaaatgccca cgtctgtggc ctacattcat tccaatcaga taatgggctg gggcgagaaa 3900 gctattgaga tccggtcagt ggaaacagga catttggatg gagtatttat gcataagcga 3960 gctcaaaggt taaagtttct atgtgaaaga aatgataagg tattttttgc atccgtgcga 4020 tctggaggaa gtagccaagt gtttttcatg accctcaaca gaaattccat gatgaactgg 4080 taa 4083 2 3996 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 2 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatataa gcgcaaacaa ttggaagaac agagacaagc agaaagactg 1380 cagaggcagc taaagcaaga aagagactac ttagtttccc ttcagcatca gcggcaggag 1440 cagaggcctg tggagaagaa gccactgtac cattacaaag aaggaatgag tcctagtgag 1500 aagccagcat gggccaagga ggtagaagaa cggtcaaggc tcaaccggca aagttcccct 1560 gccatgcctc acaaggttgc caacaggata tctgacccca acctgccccc aaggtcggag 1620 tccttcagca ttagtggagt tcagcctgct cgaacacccc ccatgctcag accagtcgat 1680 ccccagatcc cacatctggt agctgtaaaa tcccagggac ctgccttgac cgcctcccag 1740 tcagtgcacg agcagcccac aaagggcctc tctgggtttc aggaggctct gaacgtgacc 1800 tcccaccgcg tggagatgcc acgccagaac tcagatccca cctcggaaaa tcctcctctc 1860 cccactcgca ttgaaaagtt tgaccgaagc tcttggttac gacaggaaga agacattcca 1920 ccaaaggtgc ctcaaagaac aacttctata tccccagcat tagccagaaa gaattctcct 1980 gggaatggta gtgctctggg acccagacta ggatctcaac ccatcagagc aagcaaccct 2040 gatctccgga gaactgagcc catcttggag agccccttgc agaggaccag cagtggcagt 2100 tcctccagct ccagcacccc tagctcccag cccagctccc aaggaggctc ccagcctgga 2160 tcacaagcag gatccagtga acgcaccaga gttcgagcca acagtaagtc agaaggatca 2220 cctgtgcttc cccatgagcc tgccaaggtg aaaccagaag aatccaggga cattacccgg 2280 cccagtcgac cagctagcta caaaaaagct atagatgagg atctgacggc attagccaaa 2340 gaactaagag aactccggat tgaagaaaca aaccgcccaa tgaagaaggt gactgattac 2400 tcctcctcca gtgaggagtc agaaagtagc gaggaagagg aggaagatgg agagagcgag 2460 acccatgatg ggacagtggc tgtcagcgac atacccagac tgataccaac aggagctcca 2520 ggcagcaacg agcagtacaa tgtgggaatg gtggggacgc atgggctgga gacctctcat 2580 gcggacagtt tcagcggcag tatttcaaga gaaggaacct tgatgattag agagacgtct 2640 ggagagaaga agcgatctgg ccacagtgac agcaatggct ttgctggcca catcaacctc 2700 cctgacctgg tgcagcagag ccattctcca gctggaaccc cgactgaggg actggggcgc 2760 gtctcaaccc attcccagga gatggactct gggactgaat atggcatggg gagcagcacc 2820 aaagcctcct tcaccccctt tgtggacccc agagtatacc agacgtctcc cactgatgaa 2880 gatgaagagg atgaggaatc atcagccgca gctctgttta ctagcgaact tcttaggcaa 2940 gaacaggcca aactcaatga agcaagaaag atttcggtgg taaatgtaaa cccaaccaac 3000 attcggcctc atagcgacac accagaaatc agaaaataca agaaacgatt caactcagaa 3060 atactttgtg cagctctgtg gggtgtaaac cttctggtgg ggactgaaaa tggcctgatg 3120 cttttggacc gaagtgggca aggcaaagtc tataatctga tcaaccggag gcgatttcag 3180 cagatggatg tgctagaggg actgaatgtc cttgtgacaa tttcaggaaa gaagaataag 3240 ctacgagttt actatctttc atggttaaga aacagaatac tacataatga cccagaagta 3300 gaaaagaaac aaggctggat cactgttggg gacttggaag gctgtataca ttataaagtt 3360 gttaaatatg aaaggatcaa atttttggtg attgccttaa agaatgctgt ggaaatatat 3420 gcttgggctc ctaaaccgta tcataaattc atggcattta agtcttttgc agatctccag 3480 cacaagcctc tgctagttga tctcacggta gaagaaggtc aaagattaaa ggttattttt 3540 ggttcacaca ctggtttcca tgtaattgat gttgattcag gaaactctta tgatatctac 3600 ataccatctc atattcaggg caatatcact cctcatgcta ttgtcatctt gcctaaaaca 3660 gatggaatgg aaatgcttgt ttgctatgag gatgaggggg tgtatgtaaa cacctatggc 3720 cggataacta aggatgtggt gctccaatgg ggagaaatgc ccacgtctgt ggcctacatt 3780 cattccaatc agataatggg ctggggcgag aaagctattg agatccggtc agtggaaaca 3840 ggacatttgg atggagtatt tatgcataag cgagctcaaa ggttaaagtt tctatgtgaa 3900 agaaatgata aggtattttt tgcatccgtg cgatctggag gaagtagcca agtgtttttc 3960 atgaccctca acagaaattc catgatgaac tggtaa 3996 3 3918 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 3 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatacat caggcgacag ttagaggagg agcagagaca gttagagatc 1380 ttgcagcagc agctactgca tgaacaagct ctacttctgg aatataagcg caaacaattg 1440 gaagaacaga gacaagcaga aagactgcag aggcagctaa agcaagaaag agactactta 1500 gtttcccttc agcatcagcg gcaggagcag aggcctgtgg agaagaagcc actgtaccat 1560 tacaaagaag gaatgagtcc tagtgagaag ccagcatggg ccaaggagat cccacatctg 1620 gtagctgtaa aatcccaggg acctgccttg accgcctccc agtcagtgca cgagcagccc 1680 acaaagggcc tctctgggtt tcaggaggct ctgaacgtga cctcccaccg cgtggagatg 1740 ccacgccaga actcagatcc cacctcggaa aatcctcctc tccccactcg cattgaaaag 1800 tttgaccgaa gctcttggtt acgacaggaa gaagacattc caccaaaggt gcctcaaaga 1860 acaacttcta tatccccagc attagccaga aagaattctc ctgggaatgg tagtgctctg 1920 ggacccagac taggatctca acccatcaga gcaagcaacc ctgatctccg gagaactgag 1980 cccatcttgg agagcccctt gcagaggacc agcagtggca gttcctccag ctccagcacc 2040 cctagctccc agcccagctc ccaaggaggc tcccagcctg gatcacaagc aggatccagt 2100 gaacgcacca gagttcgagc caacagtaag tcagaaggat cacctgtgct tccccatgag 2160 cctgccaagg tgaaaccaga agaatccagg gacattaccc ggcccagtcg accagctagc 2220 tacaaaaaag ctatagatga ggatctgacg gcattagcca aagaactaag agaactccgg 2280 attgaagaaa caaaccgccc aatgaagaag gtgactgatt actcctcctc cagtgaggag 2340 tcagaaagta gcgaggaaga ggaggaagat ggagagagcg agacccatga tgggacagtg 2400 gctgtcagcg acatacccag actgatacca acaggagctc caggcagcaa cgagcagtac 2460 aatgtgggaa tggtggggac gcatgggctg gagacctctc atgcggacag tttcagcggc 2520 agtatttcaa gagaaggaac cttgatgatt agagagacgt ctggagagaa gaagcgatct 2580 ggccacagtg acagcaatgg ctttgctggc cacatcaacc tccctgacct ggtgcagcag 2640 agccattctc cagctggaac cccgactgag ggactggggc gcgtctcaac ccattcccag 2700 gagatggact ctgggactga atatggcatg gggagcagca ccaaagcctc cttcaccccc 2760 tttgtggacc ccagagtata ccagacgtct cccactgatg aagatgaaga ggatgaggaa 2820 tcatcagccg cagctctgtt tactagcgaa cttcttaggc aagaacaggc caaactcaat 2880 gaagcaagaa agatttcggt ggtaaatgta aacccaacca acattcggcc tcatagcgac 2940 acaccagaaa tcagaaaata caagaaacga ttcaactcag aaatactttg tgcagctctg 3000 tggggtgtaa accttctggt ggggactgaa aatggcctga tgcttttgga ccgaagtggg 3060 caaggcaaag tctataatct gatcaaccgg aggcgatttc agcagatgga tgtgctagag 3120 ggactgaatg tccttgtgac aatttcagga aagaagaata agctacgagt ttactatctt 3180 tcatggttaa gaaacagaat actacataat gacccagaag tagaaaagaa acaaggctgg 3240 atcactgttg gggacttgga aggctgtata cattataaag ttgttaaata tgaaaggatc 3300 aaatttttgg tgattgcctt aaagaatgct gtggaaatat atgcttgggc tcctaaaccg 3360 tatcataaat tcatggcatt taagtctttt gcagatctcc agcacaagcc tctgctagtt 3420 gatctcacgg tagaagaagg tcaaagatta aaggttattt ttggttcaca cactggtttc 3480 catgtaattg atgttgattc aggaaactct tatgatatct acataccatc tcatattcag 3540 ggcaatatca ctcctcatgc tattgtcatc ttgcctaaaa cagatggaat ggaaatgctt 3600 gtttgctatg aggatgaggg ggtgtatgta aacacctatg gccggataac taaggatgtg 3660 gtgctccaat ggggagaaat gcccacgtct gtggcctaca ttcattccaa tcagataatg 3720 ggctggggcg agaaagctat tgagatccgg tcagtggaaa caggacattt ggatggagta 3780 tttatgcata agcgagctca aaggttaaag tttctatgtg aaagaaatga taaggtattt 3840 tttgcatccg tgcgatctgg aggaagtagc caagtgtttt tcatgaccct caacagaaat 3900 tccatgatga actggtaa 3918 4 4059 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 4 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatacat caggcgacag ttagaggagg agcagagaca gttagagatc 1380 ttgcagcagc agctactgca tgaacaagct ctacttctgg aatataagcg caaacaattg 1440 gaagaacaga gacaagcaga aagactgcag aggcagctaa agcaagaaag agactactta 1500 gtttcccttc agcatcagcg gcaggagcag aggcctgtgg agaagaagcc actgtaccat 1560 tacaaagaag gaatgagtcc tagtgagaag ccagcatggg ccaaggaggt agaagaacgg 1620 tcaaggctca accggcaaag ttcccctgcc atgcctcaca aggttgccaa caggatatct 1680 gaccccaacc tgcccccaag gtcggagtcc ttcagcatta gtggagttca gcctgctcga 1740 acacccccca tgctcagacc agtcgatccc cagatcccac atctggtagc tgtaaaatcc 1800 cagggacctg ccttgaccgc ctcccagtca gtgcacgagc agcccacaaa gggcctctct 1860 gggtttcagg aggctctgaa cgtgacctcc caccgcgtgg agatgccacg ccagaactca 1920 gatcccacct cggaaaatcc tcctctcccc actcgcattg aaaagtttga ccgaagctct 1980 tggttacgac aggaagaaga cattccacca aaggtgcctc aaagaacaac ttctatatcc 2040 ccagcattag ccagaaagaa ttctcctggg aatggtagtg ctctgggacc cagactagga 2100 tctcaaccca tcagagcaag caaccctgat ctccggagaa ctgagcccat cttggagagc 2160 cccttgcaga ggaccagcag tggcagttcc tccagctcca gcacccctag ctcccagccc 2220 agctcccaag gaggctccca gcctggatca caagcaggat ccagtgaacg caccagagtt 2280 cgagccaaca gtaagtcaga aggatcacct gtgcttcccc atgagcctgc caaggtgaaa 2340 ccagaagaat ccagggacat tacccggccc agtcgaccag ctgatctgac ggcattagcc 2400 aaagaactaa gagaactccg gattgaagaa acaaaccgcc caatgaagaa ggtgactgat 2460 tactcctcct ccagtgagga gtcagaaagt agcgaggaag aggaggaaga tggagagagc 2520 gagacccatg atgggacagt ggctgtcagc gacataccca gactgatacc aacaggagct 2580 ccaggcagca acgagcagta caatgtggga atggtgggga cgcatgggct ggagacctct 2640 catgcggaca gtttcagcgg cagtatttca agagaaggaa ccttgatgat tagagagacg 2700 tctggagaga agaagcgatc tggccacagt gacagcaatg gctttgctgg ccacatcaac 2760 ctccctgacc tggtgcagca gagccattct ccagctggaa ccccgactga gggactgggg 2820 cgcgtctcaa cccattccca ggagatggac tctgggactg aatatggcat ggggagcagc 2880 accaaagcct ccttcacccc ctttgtggac cccagagtat accagacgtc tcccactgat 2940 gaagatgaag aggatgagga atcatcagcc gcagctctgt ttactagcga acttcttagg 3000 caagaacagg ccaaactcaa tgaagcaaga aagatttcgg tggtaaatgt aaacccaacc 3060 aacattcggc ctcatagcga cacaccagaa atcagaaaat acaagaaacg attcaactca 3120 gaaatacttt gtgcagctct gtggggtgta aaccttctgg tggggactga aaatggcctg 3180 atgcttttgg accgaagtgg gcaaggcaaa gtctataatc tgatcaaccg gaggcgattt 3240 cagcagatgg atgtgctaga gggactgaat gtccttgtga caatttcagg aaagaagaat 3300 aagctacgag tttactatct ttcatggtta agaaacagaa tactacataa tgacccagaa 3360 gtagaaaaga aacaaggctg gatcactgtt ggggacttgg aaggctgtat acattataaa 3420 gttgttaaat atgaaaggat caaatttttg gtgattgcct taaagaatgc tgtggaaata 3480 tatgcttggg ctcctaaacc gtatcataaa ttcatggcat ttaagtcttt tgcagatctc 3540 cagcacaagc ctctgctagt tgatctcacg gtagaagaag gtcaaagatt aaaggttatt 3600 tttggttcac acactggttt ccatgtaatt gatgttgatt caggaaactc ttatgatatc 3660 tacataccat ctcatattca gggcaatatc actcctcatg ctattgtcat cttgcctaaa 3720 acagatggaa tggaaatgct tgtttgctat gaggatgagg gggtgtatgt aaacacctat 3780 ggccggataa ctaaggatgt ggtgctccaa tggggagaaa tgcccacgtc tgtggcctac 3840 attcattcca atcagataat gggctggggc gagaaagcta ttgagatccg gtcagtggaa 3900 acaggacatt tggatggagt atttatgcat aagcgagctc aaaggttaaa gtttctatgt 3960 gaaagaaatg ataaggtatt ttttgcatcc gtgcgatctg gaggaagtag ccaagtgttt 4020 ttcatgaccc tcaacagaaa ttccatgatg aactggtaa 4059 5 3831 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 5 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatataa gcgcaaacaa ttggaagaac agagacaagc agaaagactg 1380 cagaggcagc taaagcaaga aagagactac ttagtttccc ttcagcatca gcggcaggag 1440 cagaggcctg tggagaagaa gccactgtac cattacaaag aaggaatgag tcctagtgag 1500 aagccagcat gggccaagga gatcccacat ctggtagctg taaaatccca gggacctgcc 1560 ttgaccgcct cccagtcagt gcacgagcag cccacaaagg gcctctctgg gtttcaggag 1620 gctctgaacg tgacctccca ccgcgtggag atgccacgcc agaactcaga tcccacctcg 1680 gaaaatcctc ctctccccac tcgcattgaa aagtttgacc gaagctcttg gttacgacag 1740 gaagaagaca ttccaccaaa ggtgcctcaa agaacaactt ctatatcccc agcattagcc 1800 agaaagaatt ctcctgggaa tggtagtgct ctgggaccca gactaggatc tcaacccatc 1860 agagcaagca accctgatct ccggagaact gagcccatct tggagagccc cttgcagagg 1920 accagcagtg gcagttcctc cagctccagc acccctagct cccagcccag ctcccaagga 1980 ggctcccagc ctggatcaca agcaggatcc agtgaacgca ccagagttcg agccaacagt 2040 aagtcagaag gatcacctgt gcttccccat gagcctgcca aggtgaaacc agaagaatcc 2100 agggacatta cccggcccag tcgaccagct agctacaaaa aagctataga tgaggatctg 2160 acggcattag ccaaagaact aagagaactc cggattgaag aaacaaaccg cccaatgaag 2220 aaggtgactg attactcctc ctccagtgag gagtcagaaa gtagcgagga agaggaggaa 2280 gatggagaga gcgagaccca tgatgggaca gtggctgtca gcgacatacc cagactgata 2340 ccaacaggag ctccaggcag caacgagcag tacaatgtgg gaatggtggg gacgcatggg 2400 ctggagacct ctcatgcgga cagtttcagc ggcagtattt caagagaagg aaccttgatg 2460 attagagaga cgtctggaga gaagaagcga tctggccaca gtgacagcaa tggctttgct 2520 ggccacatca acctccctga cctggtgcag cagagccatt ctccagctgg aaccccgact 2580 gagggactgg ggcgcgtctc aacccattcc caggagatgg actctgggac tgaatatggc 2640 atggggagca gcaccaaagc ctccttcacc ccctttgtgg accccagagt ataccagacg 2700 tctcccactg atgaagatga agaggatgag gaatcatcag ccgcagctct gtttactagc 2760 gaacttctta ggcaagaaca ggccaaactc aatgaagcaa gaaagatttc ggtggtaaat 2820 gtaaacccaa ccaacattcg gcctcatagc gacacaccag aaatcagaaa atacaagaaa 2880 cgattcaact cagaaatact ttgtgcagct ctgtggggtg taaaccttct ggtggggact 2940 gaaaatggcc tgatgctttt ggaccgaagt gggcaaggca aagtctataa tctgatcaac 3000 cggaggcgat ttcagcagat ggatgtgcta gagggactga atgtccttgt gacaatttca 3060 ggaaagaaga ataagctacg agtttactat ctttcatggt taagaaacag aatactacat 3120 aatgacccag aagtagaaaa gaaacaaggc tggatcactg ttggggactt ggaaggctgt 3180 atacattata aagttgttaa atatgaaagg atcaaatttt tggtgattgc cttaaagaat 3240 gctgtggaaa tatatgcttg ggctcctaaa ccgtatcata aattcatggc atttaagtct 3300 tttgcagatc tccagcacaa gcctctgcta gttgatctca cggtagaaga aggtcaaaga 3360 ttaaaggtta tttttggttc acacactggt ttccatgtaa ttgatgttga ttcaggaaac 3420 tcttatgata tctacatacc atctcatatt cagggcaata tcactcctca tgctattgtc 3480 atcttgccta aaacagatgg aatggaaatg cttgtttgct atgaggatga gggggtgtat 3540 gtaaacacct atggccggat aactaaggat gtggtgctcc aatggggaga aatgcccacg 3600 tctgtggcct acattcattc caatcagata atgggctggg gcgagaaagc tattgagatc 3660 cggtcagtgg aaacaggaca tttggatgga gtatttatgc ataagcgagc tcaaaggtta 3720 aagtttctat gtgaaagaaa tgataaggta ttttttgcat ccgtgcgatc tggaggaagt 3780 agccaagtgt ttttcatgac cctcaacaga aattccatga tgaactggta a 3831 6 3972 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 6 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatataa gcgcaaacaa ttggaagaac agagacaagc agaaagactg 1380 cagaggcagc taaagcaaga aagagactac ttagtttccc ttcagcatca gcggcaggag 1440 cagaggcctg tggagaagaa gccactgtac cattacaaag aaggaatgag tcctagtgag 1500 aagccagcat gggccaagga ggtagaagaa cggtcaaggc tcaaccggca aagttcccct 1560 gccatgcctc acaaggttgc caacaggata tctgacccca acctgccccc aaggtcggag 1620 tccttcagca ttagtggagt tcagcctgct cgaacacccc ccatgctcag accagtcgat 1680 ccccagatcc cacatctggt agctgtaaaa tcccagggac ctgccttgac cgcctcccag 1740 tcagtgcacg agcagcccac aaagggcctc tctgggtttc aggaggctct gaacgtgacc 1800 tcccaccgcg tggagatgcc acgccagaac tcagatccca cctcggaaaa tcctcctctc 1860 cccactcgca ttgaaaagtt tgaccgaagc tcttggttac gacaggaaga agacattcca 1920 ccaaaggtgc ctcaaagaac aacttctata tccccagcat tagccagaaa gaattctcct 1980 gggaatggta gtgctctggg acccagacta ggatctcaac ccatcagagc aagcaaccct 2040 gatctccgga gaactgagcc catcttggag agccccttgc agaggaccag cagtggcagt 2100 tcctccagct ccagcacccc tagctcccag cccagctccc aaggaggctc ccagcctgga 2160 tcacaagcag gatccagtga acgcaccaga gttcgagcca acagtaagtc agaaggatca 2220 cctgtgcttc cccatgagcc tgccaaggtg aaaccagaag aatccaggga cattacccgg 2280 cccagtcgac cagctgatct gacggcatta gccaaagaac taagagaact ccggattgaa 2340 gaaacaaacc gcccaatgaa gaaggtgact gattactcct cctccagtga ggagtcagaa 2400 agtagcgagg aagaggagga agatggagag agcgagaccc atgatgggac agtggctgtc 2460 agcgacatac ccagactgat accaacagga gctccaggca gcaacgagca gtacaatgtg 2520 ggaatggtgg ggacgcatgg gctggagacc tctcatgcgg acagtttcag cggcagtatt 2580 tcaagagaag gaaccttgat gattagagag acgtctggag agaagaagcg atctggccac 2640 agtgacagca atggctttgc tggccacatc aacctccctg acctggtgca gcagagccat 2700 tctccagctg gaaccccgac tgagggactg gggcgcgtct caacccattc ccaggagatg 2760 gactctggga ctgaatatgg catggggagc agcaccaaag cctccttcac cccctttgtg 2820 gaccccagag tataccagac gtctcccact gatgaagatg aagaggatga ggaatcatca 2880 gccgcagctc tgtttactag cgaacttctt aggcaagaac aggccaaact caatgaagca 2940 agaaagattt cggtggtaaa tgtaaaccca accaacattc ggcctcatag cgacacacca 3000 gaaatcagaa aatacaagaa acgattcaac tcagaaatac tttgtgcagc tctgtggggt 3060 gtaaaccttc tggtggggac tgaaaatggc ctgatgcttt tggaccgaag tgggcaaggc 3120 aaagtctata atctgatcaa ccggaggcga tttcagcaga tggatgtgct agagggactg 3180 aatgtccttg tgacaatttc aggaaagaag aataagctac gagtttacta tctttcatgg 3240 ttaagaaaca gaatactaca taatgaccca gaagtagaaa agaaacaagg ctggatcact 3300 gttggggact tggaaggctg tatacattat aaagttgtta aatatgaaag gatcaaattt 3360 ttggtgattg ccttaaagaa tgctgtggaa atatatgctt gggctcctaa accgtatcat 3420 aaattcatgg catttaagtc ttttgcagat ctccagcaca agcctctgct agttgatctc 3480 acggtagaag aaggtcaaag attaaaggtt atttttggtt cacacactgg tttccatgta 3540 attgatgttg attcaggaaa ctcttatgat atctacatac catctcatat tcagggcaat 3600 atcactcctc atgctattgt catcttgcct aaaacagatg gaatggaaat gcttgtttgc 3660 tatgaggatg agggggtgta tgtaaacacc tatggccgga taactaagga tgtggtgctc 3720 caatggggag aaatgcccac gtctgtggcc tacattcatt ccaatcagat aatgggctgg 3780 ggcgagaaag ctattgagat ccggtcagtg gaaacaggac atttggatgg agtatttatg 3840 cataagcgag ctcaaaggtt aaagtttcta tgtgaaagaa atgataaggt attttttgca 3900 tccgtgcgat ctggaggaag tagccaagtg tttttcatga ccctcaacag aaattccatg 3960 atgaactggt aa 3972 7 3894 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 7 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatacat caggcgacag ttagaggagg agcagagaca gttagagatc 1380 ttgcagcagc agctactgca tgaacaagct ctacttctgg aatataagcg caaacaattg 1440 gaagaacaga gacaagcaga aagactgcag aggcagctaa agcaagaaag agactactta 1500 gtttcccttc agcatcagcg gcaggagcag aggcctgtgg agaagaagcc actgtaccat 1560 tacaaagaag gaatgagtcc tagtgagaag ccagcatggg ccaaggagat cccacatctg 1620 gtagctgtaa aatcccaggg acctgccttg accgcctccc agtcagtgca cgagcagccc 1680 acaaagggcc tctctgggtt tcaggaggct ctgaacgtga cctcccaccg cgtggagatg 1740 ccacgccaga actcagatcc cacctcggaa aatcctcctc tccccactcg cattgaaaag 1800 tttgaccgaa gctcttggtt acgacaggaa gaagacattc caccaaaggt gcctcaaaga 1860 acaacttcta tatccccagc attagccaga aagaattctc ctgggaatgg tagtgctctg 1920 ggacccagac taggatctca acccatcaga gcaagcaacc ctgatctccg gagaactgag 1980 cccatcttgg agagcccctt gcagaggacc agcagtggca gttcctccag ctccagcacc 2040 cctagctccc agcccagctc ccaaggaggc tcccagcctg gatcacaagc aggatccagt 2100 gaacgcacca gagttcgagc caacagtaag tcagaaggat cacctgtgct tccccatgag 2160 cctgccaagg tgaaaccaga agaatccagg gacattaccc ggcccagtcg accagctgat 2220 ctgacggcat tagccaaaga actaagagaa ctccggattg aagaaacaaa ccgcccaatg 2280 aagaaggtga ctgattactc ctcctccagt gaggagtcag aaagtagcga ggaagaggag 2340 gaagatggag agagcgagac ccatgatggg acagtggctg tcagcgacat acccagactg 2400 ataccaacag gagctccagg cagcaacgag cagtacaatg tgggaatggt ggggacgcat 2460 gggctggaga cctctcatgc ggacagtttc agcggcagta tttcaagaga aggaaccttg 2520 atgattagag agacgtctgg agagaagaag cgatctggcc acagtgacag caatggcttt 2580 gctggccaca tcaacctccc tgacctggtg cagcagagcc attctccagc tggaaccccg 2640 actgagggac tggggcgcgt ctcaacccat tcccaggaga tggactctgg gactgaatat 2700 ggcatgggga gcagcaccaa agcctccttc accccctttg tggaccccag agtataccag 2760 acgtctccca ctgatgaaga tgaagaggat gaggaatcat cagccgcagc tctgtttact 2820 agcgaacttc ttaggcaaga acaggccaaa ctcaatgaag caagaaagat ttcggtggta 2880 aatgtaaacc caaccaacat tcggcctcat agcgacacac cagaaatcag aaaatacaag 2940 aaacgattca actcagaaat actttgtgca gctctgtggg gtgtaaacct tctggtgggg 3000 actgaaaatg gcctgatgct tttggaccga agtgggcaag gcaaagtcta taatctgatc 3060 aaccggaggc gatttcagca gatggatgtg ctagagggac tgaatgtcct tgtgacaatt 3120 tcaggaaaga agaataagct acgagtttac tatctttcat ggttaagaaa cagaatacta 3180 cataatgacc cagaagtaga aaagaaacaa ggctggatca ctgttgggga cttggaaggc 3240 tgtatacatt ataaagttgt taaatatgaa aggatcaaat ttttggtgat tgccttaaag 3300 aatgctgtgg aaatatatgc ttgggctcct aaaccgtatc ataaattcat ggcatttaag 3360 tcttttgcag atctccagca caagcctctg ctagttgatc tcacggtaga agaaggtcaa 3420 agattaaagg ttatttttgg ttcacacact ggtttccatg taattgatgt tgattcagga 3480 aactcttatg atatctacat accatctcat attcagggca atatcactcc tcatgctatt 3540 gtcatcttgc ctaaaacaga tggaatggaa atgcttgttt gctatgagga tgagggggtg 3600 tatgtaaaca cctatggccg gataactaag gatgtggtgc tccaatgggg agaaatgccc 3660 acgtctgtgg cctacattca ttccaatcag ataatgggct ggggcgagaa agctattgag 3720 atccggtcag tggaaacagg acatttggat ggagtattta tgcataagcg agctcaaagg 3780 ttaaagtttc tatgtgaaag aaatgataag gtattttttg catccgtgcg atctggagga 3840 agtagccaag tgtttttcat gaccctcaac agaaattcca tgatgaactg gtaa 3894 8 3807 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 8 atggcgagcg actccccggc tcgaagcctg gatgaaatag atctctcggc tctgagggac 60 cctgcaggga tctttgaatt ggtggaactt gttggaaatg gaacatacgg gcaagtttat 120 aagggtcgtc atgtcaaaac gggccagctt gcagccatca aggttatgga tgtcacaggg 180 gatgaagagg aagaaatcaa acaagaaatt aacatgttga agaaatattc tcatcaccgg 240 aatattgcta catactatgg tgcttttatc aaaaagaacc caccaggcat ggatgaccaa 300 ctttggttgg tgatggagtt ttgtggtgct ggctctgtca ccgacctgat caagaacaca 360 aaaggtaaca cgttgaaaga ggagtggatt gcatacatct gcagggaaat cttacggggg 420 ctgagtcacc tgcaccagca taaagtgatt catcgagata ttaaagggca aaatgtcttg 480 ctgactgaaa atgcagaagt taaactagtg gactttggag tcagtgctca gcttgatcga 540 acagtgggca ggaggaatac tttcattgga actccctact ggatggcacc agaagttatt 600 gcctgtgatg aaaacccaga tgccacatat gatttcaaga gtgacttgtg gtctttgggt 660 atcaccgcca ttgaaatggc agaaggtgct ccccctctct gtgacatgca ccccatgaga 720 gctctcttcc tcatcccccg gaatccagcg cctcggctga agtctaagaa gtggtcaaaa 780 aaattccagt catttattga gagctgcttg gtaaagaatc acagccagcg accagcaaca 840 gaacaattga tgaagcatcc atttatacga gaccaaccta atgagcgaca ggtccgcatt 900 caactcaagg accatattga tagaacaaag aagaagcgag gagaaaaaga tgagacagag 960 tatgagtaca gtggaagtga ggaagaagag gaggagaatg actcaggaga gcccagctcc 1020 atcctgaatc tgccagggga gtcgacgctg cggagggact ttctgaggct gcagctggcc 1080 aacaaggagc gttctgaggc cctacggagg cagcagctgg agcagcagca gcgggagaat 1140 gaggagcaca agcggcagct gctggccgag cgtcagaagc gcatcgagga gcagaaagag 1200 cagaggcggc ggctggagga gcaacaaagg cgagagaagg agctgcggaa gcagcaggag 1260 agggagcagc gccggcacta tgaggagcag atgcgccggg aggaggagag gaggcgtgcg 1320 gagcatgaac aggaatataa gcgcaaacaa ttggaagaac agagacaagc agaaagactg 1380 cagaggcagc taaagcaaga aagagactac ttagtttccc ttcagcatca gcggcaggag 1440 cagaggcctg tggagaagaa gccactgtac cattacaaag aaggaatgag tcctagtgag 1500 aagccagcat gggccaagga gatcccacat ctggtagctg taaaatccca gggacctgcc 1560 ttgaccgcct cccagtcagt gcacgagcag cccacaaagg gcctctctgg gtttcaggag 1620 gctctgaacg tgacctccca ccgcgtggag atgccacgcc agaactcaga tcccacctcg 1680 gaaaatcctc ctctccccac tcgcattgaa aagtttgacc gaagctcttg gttacgacag 1740 gaagaagaca ttccaccaaa ggtgcctcaa agaacaactt ctatatcccc agcattagcc 1800 agaaagaatt ctcctgggaa tggtagtgct ctgggaccca gactaggatc tcaacccatc 1860 agagcaagca accctgatct ccggagaact gagcccatct tggagagccc cttgcagagg 1920 accagcagtg gcagttcctc cagctccagc acccctagct cccagcccag ctcccaagga 1980 ggctcccagc ctggatcaca agcaggatcc agtgaacgca ccagagttcg agccaacagt 2040 aagtcagaag gatcacctgt gcttccccat gagcctgcca aggtgaaacc agaagaatcc 2100 agggacatta cccggcccag tcgaccagct gatctgacgg cattagccaa agaactaaga 2160 gaactccgga ttgaagaaac aaaccgccca atgaagaagg tgactgatta ctcctcctcc 2220 agtgaggagt cagaaagtag cgaggaagag gaggaagatg gagagagcga gacccatgat 2280 gggacagtgg ctgtcagcga catacccaga ctgataccaa caggagctcc aggcagcaac 2340 gagcagtaca atgtgggaat ggtggggacg catgggctgg agacctctca tgcggacagt 2400 ttcagcggca gtatttcaag agaaggaacc ttgatgatta gagagacgtc tggagagaag 2460 aagcgatctg gccacagtga cagcaatggc tttgctggcc acatcaacct ccctgacctg 2520 gtgcagcaga gccattctcc agctggaacc ccgactgagg gactggggcg cgtctcaacc 2580 cattcccagg agatggactc tgggactgaa tatggcatgg ggagcagcac caaagcctcc 2640 ttcaccccct ttgtggaccc cagagtatac cagacgtctc ccactgatga agatgaagag 2700 gatgaggaat catcagccgc agctctgttt actagcgaac ttcttaggca agaacaggcc 2760 aaactcaatg aagcaagaaa gatttcggtg gtaaatgtaa acccaaccaa cattcggcct 2820 catagcgaca caccagaaat cagaaaatac aagaaacgat tcaactcaga aatactttgt 2880 gcagctctgt ggggtgtaaa ccttctggtg gggactgaaa atggcctgat gcttttggac 2940 cgaagtgggc aaggcaaagt ctataatctg atcaaccgga ggcgatttca gcagatggat 3000 gtgctagagg gactgaatgt ccttgtgaca atttcaggaa agaagaataa gctacgagtt 3060 tactatcttt catggttaag aaacagaata ctacataatg acccagaagt agaaaagaaa 3120 caaggctgga tcactgttgg ggacttggaa ggctgtatac attataaagt tgttaaatat 3180 gaaaggatca aatttttggt gattgcctta aagaatgctg tggaaatata tgcttgggct 3240 cctaaaccgt atcataaatt catggcattt aagtcttttg cagatctcca gcacaagcct 3300 ctgctagttg atctcacggt agaagaaggt caaagattaa aggttatttt tggttcacac 3360 actggtttcc atgtaattga tgttgattca ggaaactctt atgatatcta cataccatct 3420 catattcagg gcaatatcac tcctcatgct attgtcatct tgcctaaaac agatggaatg 3480 gaaatgcttg tttgctatga ggatgagggg gtgtatgtaa acacctatgg ccggataact 3540 aaggatgtgg tgctccaatg gggagaaatg cccacgtctg tggcctacat tcattccaat 3600 cagataatgg gctggggcga gaaagctatt gagatccggt cagtggaaac aggacatttg 3660 gatggagtat ttatgcataa gcgagctcaa aggttaaagt ttctatgtga aagaaatgat 3720 aaggtatttt ttgcatccgt gcgatctgga ggaagtagcc aagtgttttt catgaccctc 3780 aacagaaatt ccatgatgaa ctggtaa 3807 9 1332 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 9 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Lys Arg 435 440 445 Lys Gln Leu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu 450 455 460 Lys Gln Glu Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu 465 470 475 480 Gln Arg Pro Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met 485 490 495 Ser Pro Ser Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Val Glu Glu Arg Ser 500 505 510 Arg Leu Asn Arg Gln Ser Ser Pro Ala Met Pro His Lys Val Ala Asn 515 520 525 Arg Ile Ser Asp Pro Asn Leu Pro Pro Arg Ser Glu Ser Phe Ser Ile 530 535 540 Ser Gly Val Gln Pro Ala Arg Thr Pro Pro Met Leu Arg Pro Val Asp 545 550 555 560 Pro Gln Ile Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu 565 570 575 Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly 580 585 590 Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg 595 600 605 Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile 610 615 620 Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro 625 630 635 640 Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg 645 650 655 Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser 660 665 670 Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile 675 680 685 Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser 690 695 700 Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly 705 710 715 720 Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys 725 730 735 Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro 740 745 750 Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Ser Tyr Lys 755 760 765 Lys Ala Ile Asp Glu Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu 770 775 780 Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr 785 790 795 800 Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp 805 810 815 Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro 820 825 830 Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val 835 840 845 Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe 850 855 860 Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser 865 870 875 880 Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly 885 890 895 His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly 900 905 910 Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met 915 920 925 Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe 930 935 940 Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu 945 950 955 960 Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu 965 970 975 Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser 980 985 990 Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro 995 1000 1005 Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys 1010 1015 1020 Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly 1025 1030 1035 Leu Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu 1040 1045 1050 Ile Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu 1055 1060 1065 Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val 1070 1075 1080 Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro 1085 1090 1095 Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu 1100 1105 1110 Gly Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe 1115 1120 1125 Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala 1130 1135 1140 Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp 1145 1150 1155 Leu Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly 1160 1165 1170 Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His Thr Gly Phe His Val 1175 1180 1185 Ile Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser 1190 1195 1200 His Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro 1205 1210 1215 Lys Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly 1220 1225 1230 Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu 1235 1240 1245 Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn 1250 1255 1260 Gln Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val 1265 1270 1275 Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln 1280 1285 1290 Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala 1295 1300 1305 Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu 1310 1315 1320 Asn Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1325 1330 10 1306 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 10 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Ile Arg 435 440 445 Arg Gln Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Leu Glu Ile Leu Gln Gln Gln 450 455 460 Leu Leu His Glu Gln Ala Leu Leu Leu Glu Tyr Lys Arg Lys Gln Leu 465 470 475 480 Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu Lys Gln Glu 485 490 495 Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu Gln Arg Pro 500 505 510 Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met Ser Pro Ser 515 520 525 Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Ile Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys 530 535 540 Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro 545 550 555 560 Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His 565 570 575 Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro 580 585 590 Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg 595 600 605 Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile 610 615 620 Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu 625 630 635 640 Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu 645 650 655 Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser 660 665 670 Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln 675 680 685 Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg 690 695 700 Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu 705 710 715 720 Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser 725 730 735 Arg Pro Ala Ser Tyr Lys Lys Ala Ile Asp Glu Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu 740 745 750 Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met 755 760 765 Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser 770 775 780 Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val 785 790 795 800 Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser 805 810 815 Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr 820 825 830 Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu 835 840 845 Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp 850 855 860 Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln 865 870 875 880 Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser 885 890 895 Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser 900 905 910 Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln 915 920 925 Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala 930 935 940 Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn 945 950 955 960 Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg 965 970 975 Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn 980 985 990 Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly 995 1000 1005 Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys 1010 1015 1020 Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val 1025 1030 1035 Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys Asn 1040 1045 1050 Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile Leu 1055 1060 1065 His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr Val 1070 1075 1080 Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr Glu 1085 1090 1095 Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu Ile 1100 1105 1110 Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe Lys 1115 1120 1125 Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Thr 1130 1135 1140 Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His Thr 1145 1150 1155 Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp Ile 1160 1165 1170 Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala Ile 1175 1180 1185 Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys Tyr 1190 1195 1200 Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr Lys 1205 1210 1215 Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala Tyr 1220 1225 1230 Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile Glu 1235 1240 1245 Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met His 1250 1255 1260 Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp Lys 1265 1270 1275 Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val Phe 1280 1285 1290 Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1295 1300 1305 11 1353 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 11 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Ile Arg 435 440 445 Arg Gln Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Leu Glu Ile Leu Gln Gln Gln 450 455 460 Leu Leu His Glu Gln Ala Leu Leu Leu Glu Tyr Lys Arg Lys Gln Leu 465 470 475 480 Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu Lys Gln Glu 485 490 495 Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu Gln Arg Pro 500 505 510 Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met Ser Pro Ser 515 520 525 Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Val Glu Glu Arg Ser Arg Leu Asn 530 535 540 Arg Gln Ser Ser Pro Ala Met Pro His Lys Val Ala Asn Arg Ile Ser 545 550 555 560 Asp Pro Asn Leu Pro Pro Arg Ser Glu Ser Phe Ser Ile Ser Gly Val 565 570 575 Gln Pro Ala Arg Thr Pro Pro Met Leu Arg Pro Val Asp Pro Gln Ile 580 585 590 Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser 595 600 605 Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu 610 615 620 Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser 625 630 635 640 Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe 645 650 655 Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val 660 665 670 Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser 675 680 685 Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile 690 695 700 Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser 705 710 715 720 Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro 725 730 735 Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala 740 745 750 Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly 755 760 765 Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser 770 775 780 Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala 785 790 795 800 Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met Lys 805 810 815 Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser Glu 820 825 830 Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val Ala 835 840 845 Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Asn 850 855 860 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr Ser 865 870 875 880 His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu Met 885 890 895 Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp Ser 900 905 910 Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln Ser 915 920 925 His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser Thr 930 935 940 His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser Ser 945 950 955 960 Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln Thr 965 970 975 Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala 980 985 990 Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn Glu 995 1000 1005 Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg 1010 1015 1020 Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe 1025 1030 1035 Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu 1040 1045 1050 Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln 1055 1060 1065 Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met 1070 1075 1080 Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys 1085 1090 1095 Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg 1100 1105 1110 Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile 1115 1120 1125 Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys 1130 1135 1140 Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val 1145 1150 1155 Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala 1160 1165 1170 Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp 1175 1180 1185 Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser 1190 1195 1200 His Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr 1205 1210 1215 Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His 1220 1225 1230 Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val 1235 1240 1245 Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile 1250 1255 1260 Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val 1265 1270 1275 Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala 1280 1285 1290 Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe 1295 1300 1305 Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn 1310 1315 1320 Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln 1325 1330 1335 Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1340 1345 1350 12 1277 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 12 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Lys Arg 435 440 445 Lys Gln Leu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu 450 455 460 Lys Gln Glu Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu 465 470 475 480 Gln Arg Pro Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met 485 490 495 Ser Pro Ser Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Ile Pro His Leu Val 500 505 510 Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His 515 520 525 Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val 530 535 540 Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser 545 550 555 560 Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser 565 570 575 Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr 580 585 590 Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly 595 600 605 Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn 610 615 620 Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg 625 630 635 640 Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro 645 650 655 Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu 660 665 670 Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu 675 680 685 Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr 690 695 700 Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Ser Tyr Lys Lys Ala Ile Asp Glu Asp Leu 705 710 715 720 Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn 725 730 735 Arg Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser 740 745 750 Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp 755 760 765 Gly Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala 770 775 780 Pro Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly 785 790 795 800 Leu Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu 805 810 815 Gly Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly 820 825 830 His Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu 835 840 845 Val Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly 850 855 860 Arg Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly 865 870 875 880 Met Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg 885 890 895 Val Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser 900 905 910 Ser Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala 915 920 925 Lys Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr 930 935 940 Asn Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys 945 950 955 960 Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu 965 970 975 Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln 980 985 990 Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp 995 1000 1005 Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys 1010 1015 1020 Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile 1025 1030 1035 Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr 1040 1045 1050 Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr 1055 1060 1065 Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu 1070 1075 1080 Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe 1085 1090 1095 Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu 1100 1105 1110 Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His 1115 1120 1125 Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp 1130 1135 1140 Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala 1145 1150 1155 Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys 1160 1165 1170 Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr 1175 1180 1185 Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala 1190 1195 1200 Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile 1205 1210 1215 Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met 1220 1225 1230 His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp 1235 1240 1245 Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val 1250 1255 1260 Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1265 1270 1275 13 1324 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 13 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Lys Arg 435 440 445 Lys Gln Leu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu 450 455 460 Lys Gln Glu Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu 465 470 475 480 Gln Arg Pro Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met 485 490 495 Ser Pro Ser Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Val Glu Glu Arg Ser 500 505 510 Arg Leu Asn Arg Gln Ser Ser Pro Ala Met Pro His Lys Val Ala Asn 515 520 525 Arg Ile Ser Asp Pro Asn Leu Pro Pro Arg Ser Glu Ser Phe Ser Ile 530 535 540 Ser Gly Val Gln Pro Ala Arg Thr Pro Pro Met Leu Arg Pro Val Asp 545 550 555 560 Pro Gln Ile Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu 565 570 575 Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly 580 585 590 Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg 595 600 605 Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile 610 615 620 Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro 625 630 635 640 Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg 645 650 655 Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser 660 665 670 Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile 675 680 685 Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser 690 695 700 Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly 705 710 715 720 Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys 725 730 735 Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro 740 745 750 Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Asp Leu Thr 755 760 765 Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg 770 775 780 Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu 785 790 795 800 Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly 805 810 815 Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro 820 825 830 Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu 835 840 845 Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly 850 855 860 Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His 865 870 875 880 Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val 885 890 895 Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg 900 905 910 Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met 915 920 925 Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val 930 935 940 Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser 945 950 955 960 Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys 965 970 975 Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn 980 985 990 Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg 995 1000 1005 Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu 1010 1015 1020 Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly 1025 1030 1035 Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln 1040 1045 1050 Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly 1055 1060 1065 Lys Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn 1070 1075 1080 Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp 1085 1090 1095 Ile Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val 1100 1105 1110 Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala 1115 1120 1125 Val Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met 1130 1135 1140 Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val 1145 1150 1155 Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly 1160 1165 1170 Ser His Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser 1175 1180 1185 Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro 1190 1195 1200 His Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu 1205 1210 1215 Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg 1220 1225 1230 Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser 1235 1240 1245 Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys 1250 1255 1260 Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val 1265 1270 1275 Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg 1280 1285 1290 Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser 1295 1300 1305 Gln Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp 1310 1315 1320 Glx 14 1298 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 14 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Ile Arg 435 440 445 Arg Gln Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Leu Glu Ile Leu Gln Gln Gln 450 455 460 Leu Leu His Glu Gln Ala Leu Leu Leu Glu Tyr Lys Arg Lys Gln Leu 465 470 475 480 Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu Lys Gln Glu 485 490 495 Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu Gln Arg Pro 500 505 510 Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met Ser Pro Ser 515 520 525 Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Ile Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys 530 535 540 Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro 545 550 555 560 Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His 565 570 575 Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro 580 585 590 Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg 595 600 605 Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile 610 615 620 Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu 625 630 635 640 Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu 645 650 655 Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser 660 665 670 Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln 675 680 685 Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg 690 695 700 Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu 705 710 715 720 Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser 725 730 735 Arg Pro Ala Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg 740 745 750 Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser 755 760 765 Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu 770 775 780 Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu 785 790 795 800 Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met 805 810 815 Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly 820 825 830 Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu 835 840 845 Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile 850 855 860 Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro 865 870 875 880 Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser 885 890 895 Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro 900 905 910 Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu 915 920 925 Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu 930 935 940 Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val 945 950 955 960 Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile 965 970 975 Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu 980 985 990 Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu Met Leu Leu 995 1000 1005 Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn Arg Arg 1010 1015 1020 Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val 1025 1030 1035 Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser 1040 1045 1050 Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys 1055 1060 1065 Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile His 1070 1075 1080 Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala 1085 1090 1095 Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr 1100 1105 1110 His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His Lys 1115 1120 1125 Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys 1130 1135 1140 Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val Asp 1145 1150 1155 Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln Gly 1160 1165 1170 Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Gly 1175 1180 1185 Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn 1190 1195 1200 Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu 1205 1210 1215 Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met Gly 1220 1225 1230 Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His 1235 1240 1245 Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe 1250 1255 1260 Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg Ser 1265 1270 1275 Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn Ser 1280 1285 1290 Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1295 15 1269 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 15 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Lys Arg 435 440 445 Lys Gln Leu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu 450 455 460 Lys Gln Glu Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu 465 470 475 480 Gln Arg Pro Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met 485 490 495 Ser Pro Ser Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Ile Pro His Leu Val 500 505 510 Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser Gln Ser Val His 515 520 525 Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu Ala Leu Asn Val 530 535 540 Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser Asp Pro Thr Ser 545 550 555 560 Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe Asp Arg Ser Ser 565 570 575 Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg Thr 580 585 590 Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gly 595 600 605 Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile Arg Ala Ser Asn 610 615 620 Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Gln Arg 625 630 635 640 Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Gln Pro 645 650 655 Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala Gly Ser Ser Glu 660 665 670 Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Val Leu 675 680 685 Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser Arg Asp Ile Thr 690 695 700 Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg 705 710 715 720 Glu Leu Arg Ile Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp 725 730 735 Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 740 745 750 Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile 755 760 765 Pro Arg Leu Ile Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn 770 775 780 Val Gly Met Val Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser 785 790 795 800 Phe Ser Gly Ser Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr 805 810 815 Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala 820 825 830 Gly His Ile Asn Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala 835 840 845 Gly Thr Pro Thr Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu 850 855 860 Met Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser 865 870 875 880 Phe Thr Pro Phe Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp 885 890 895 Glu Asp Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser 900 905 910 Glu Leu Leu Arg Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile 915 920 925 Ser Val Val Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr 930 935 940 Pro Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys 945 950 955 960 Ala Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu 965 970 975 Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile Asn 980 985 990 Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu 995 1000 1005 Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu 1010 1015 1020 Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu 1025 1030 1035 Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Ile 1040 1045 1050 His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile 1055 1060 1065 Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro 1070 1075 1080 Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln His 1085 1090 1095 Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu 1100 1105 1110 Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile Asp Val 1115 1120 1125 Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His Ile Gln 1130 1135 1140 Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp 1145 1150 1155 Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val 1160 1165 1170 Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly 1175 1180 1185 Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Ile Met 1190 1195 1200 Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly 1205 1210 1215 His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys 1220 1225 1230 Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser Val Arg 1235 1240 1245 Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn Arg Asn 1250 1255 1260 Ser Met Met Asn Trp Glx 1265 16 9 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 16 Arg Thr Val Leu Gly Val Ile Gly Asp 1 5 17 9 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 17 Arg Thr Ala Leu Gly Asp Ile Gly Asn 1 5 18 27 PRT Rattus sp. 18 Tyr Met Thr Val Ser Ile Ile Asp Arg Phe Met Gln Asp Ser Cys Val 1 5 10 15 Pro Lys Lys Met Leu Gln Leu Val Gly Val Thr 20 25 19 28 PRT Mus sp. 19 Lys Phe Arg Leu Leu Gln Glu Thr Met Tyr Met Thr Val Ser Ile Ile 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Phe Met Gln Asn Ser Cys Val Pro Lys Lys 20 25 20 27 PRT Mus sp. 20 Arg Ala Ile Leu Ile Asp Trp Leu Ile Gln Val Gln Met Lys Phe Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Gln Glu Thr Met Tyr Met Thr Val Ser 20 25 21 27 PRT Mus sp. 21 Asp Arg Phe Leu Gln Ala Gln Leu Val Cys Arg Lys Lys Leu Gln Val 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Ile Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Ser Lys 20 25 22 18 PRT Mus sp. 22 Met Ser Val Leu Arg Gly Lys Leu Gln Leu Val Gly Thr Ala Ala Met 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu 23 26 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 23 tgcgcttata ttccagaagt agagct 26 24 20 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 24 ctgtctctgc tcctcctcta 20 25 10 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 25 Ala Tyr Pro Tyr Asp Val Pro Asp Tyr Ala 1 5 10 26 31 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 26 agcttgcagc catcagggtt atggatgtca c 31 27 31 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic 27 gtgacatcca taaccttgat ggctgcaagc t 31 28 9 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 28 Asp Tyr Lys Asp Asp Asp Asp Lys Gly 1 5 29 14 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 29 Ala Ser Met Glu Gln Lys Leu Ile Ser Glu Glu Asp Leu Asn 1 5 10 30 6 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 30 Pro Cys Pro Pro Ser Arg 1 5 31 6 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 31 Pro Arg Val Pro Val Arg 1 5 32 6 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 32 Pro Asn Leu Pro Pro Arg 1 5 33 6 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 33 Pro Lys Val Pro Gln Arg 1 5 34 1360 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 34 Met Ala Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Leu Asp Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Gly 35 40 45 Gln Leu Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Glu Ile Lys Gln Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Asn Pro Pro Gly 85 90 95 Met Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser 100 105 110 Val Thr Asp Leu Ile Lys Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Glu 115 120 125 Trp Ile Ala Tyr Ile Cys Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ser His Leu 130 135 140 His Gln His Lys Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala 165 170 175 Gln Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala 195 200 205 Thr Tyr Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile 210 215 220 Glu Met Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg 225 230 235 240 Ala Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys 245 250 255 Lys Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Gln Ser Phe Ile Glu Ser Cys Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Asn His Ser Gln Arg Pro Ala Thr Glu Gln Leu Met Lys His Pro Phe 275 280 285 Ile Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp 290 295 300 His Ile Asp Arg Thr Lys Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu 305 310 315 320 Tyr Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asn Asp Ser Gly 325 330 335 Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Leu Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu Arg Arg 340 345 350 Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu Ala Leu 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu Gln Gln Gln Arg Glu Asn Glu Glu His Lys 370 375 380 Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Glu Gln Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Glu Leu Arg 405 410 415 Lys Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Met Arg 420 425 430 Arg Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu His Glu Gln Glu Tyr Ile Arg 435 440 445 Arg Gln Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Leu Glu Ile Leu Gln Gln Gln 450 455 460 Leu Leu His Glu Gln Ala Leu Leu Leu Glu Tyr Lys Arg Lys Gln Leu 465 470 475 480 Glu Glu Gln Arg Gln Ala Glu Arg Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu Lys Gln Glu 485 490 495 Arg Asp Tyr Leu Val Ser Leu Gln His Gln Arg Gln Glu Gln Arg Pro 500 505 510 Val Glu Lys Lys Pro Leu Tyr His Tyr Lys Glu Gly Met Ser Pro Ser 515 520 525 Glu Lys Pro Ala Trp Ala Lys Glu Val Glu Glu Arg Ser Arg Leu Asn 530 535 540 Arg Gln Ser Ser Pro Ala Met Pro His Lys Val Ala Asn Arg Ile Ser 545 550 555 560 Asp Pro Asn Leu Pro Pro Arg Ser Glu Ser Phe Ser Ile Ser Gly Val 565 570 575 Gln Pro Ala Arg Thr Pro Pro Met Leu Arg Pro Val Asp Pro Gln Ile 580 585 590 Pro His Leu Val Ala Val Lys Ser Gln Gly Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Ser 595 600 605 Gln Ser Val His Glu Gln Pro Thr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gly Phe Gln Glu 610 615 620 Ala Leu Asn Val Thr Ser His Arg Val Glu Met Pro Arg Gln Asn Ser 625 630 635 640 Asp Pro Thr Ser Glu Asn Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg Ile Glu Lys Phe 645 650 655 Asp Arg Ser Ser Trp Leu Arg Gln Glu Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Lys Val 660 665 670 Pro Gln Arg Thr Thr Ser Ile Ser Pro Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys Asn Ser 675 680 685 Pro Gly Asn Gly Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Ser Gln Pro Ile 690 695 700 Arg Ala Ser Asn Pro Asp Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Pro Ile Leu Glu Ser 705 710 715 720 Pro Leu Gln Arg Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Pro 725 730 735 Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Gln Ala 740 745 750 Gly Ser Ser Glu Arg Thr Arg Val Arg Ala Asn Ser Lys Ser Glu Gly 755 760 765 Ser Pro Val Leu Pro His Glu Pro Ala Lys Val Lys Pro Glu Glu Ser 770 775 780 Arg Asp Ile Thr Arg Pro Ser Arg Pro Ala Ser Tyr Lys Lys Ala Ile 785 790 795 800 Asp Glu Asp Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Arg Ile 805 810 815 Glu Glu Thr Asn Arg Pro Met Lys Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser 820 825 830 Ser Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser 835 840 845 Glu Thr His Asp Gly Thr Val Ala Val Ser Asp Ile Pro Arg Leu Ile 850 855 860 Pro Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Asn Glu Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Met Val 865 870 875 880 Gly Thr His Gly Leu Glu Thr Ser His Ala Asp Ser Phe Ser Gly Ser 885 890 895 Ile Ser Arg Glu Gly Thr Leu Met Ile Arg Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Lys 900 905 910 Lys Arg Ser Gly His Ser Asp Ser Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly His Ile Asn 915 920 925 Leu Pro Asp Leu Val Gln Gln Ser His Ser Pro Ala Gly Thr Pro Thr 930 935 940 Glu Gly Leu Gly Arg Val Ser Thr His Ser Gln Glu Met Asp Ser Gly 945 950 955 960 Thr Glu Tyr Gly Met Gly Ser Ser Thr Lys Ala Ser Phe Thr Pro Phe 965 970 975 Val Asp Pro Arg Val Tyr Gln Thr Ser Pro Thr Asp Glu Asp Glu Glu 980 985 990 Asp Glu Glu Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala Leu Phe Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Arg 995 1000 1005 Gln Glu Gln Ala Lys Leu Asn Glu Ala Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Val 1010 1015 1020 Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Ile Arg Pro His Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu 1025 1030 1035 Ile Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala 1040 1045 1050 Ala Leu Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Asn Gly Leu 1055 1060 1065 Met Leu Leu Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Asn Leu Ile 1070 1075 1080 Asn Arg Arg Arg Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn 1085 1090 1095 Val Leu Val Thr Ile Ser Gly Lys Lys Asn Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr 1100 1105 1110 Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg Asn Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu 1115 1120 1125 Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp Ile Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly 1130 1135 1140 Cys Ile His Tyr Lys Val Val Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu 1145 1150 1155 Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Ala Val Glu Ile Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro 1160 1165 1170 Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu 1175 1180 1185 Gln His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln 1190 1195 1200 Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Phe Gly Ser His Thr Gly Phe His Val Ile 1205 1210 1215 Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Asn Ser Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Ile Pro Ser His 1220 1225 1230 Ile Gln Gly Asn Ile Thr Pro His Ala Ile Val Ile Leu Pro Lys 1235 1240 1245 Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Met Leu Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val 1250 1255 1260 Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln 1265 1270 1275 Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln 1280 1285 1290 Ile Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu 1295 1300 1305 Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg 1310 1315 1320 Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Glu Arg Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ala Ser 1325 1330 1335 Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser Gln Val Phe Phe Met Thr Leu Asn 1340 1345 1350 Arg Asn Ser Met Met Asn Trp 1355 1360 35 1233 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 35 Met Ala Asn Asp Ser Pro Ala Lys Ser Leu Val Glu Ile Asp Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Asp Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Glu Val Val Glu Leu Val Gly 20 25 30 Asn Gly Thr Tyr Gly Gln Val Tyr Lys Gly Arg His Val Lys Thr Val 35 40 45 Thr Ala Ala Ile Lys Val Met Asp Val Thr Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu Glu 50 55 60 Ile Thr Leu Glu Ile Asn Met Leu Lys Lys Tyr Ser His His Arg Asn 65 70 75 80 Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Phe Ile Lys Lys Ser Pro Pro Gly His 85 90 95 Asp Asp Gln Leu Trp Leu Val Met Glu Phe Cys Gly Ala Gly Ser Ile 100 105 110 Thr Asp Leu Ile Val Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Thr Leu Lys Glu Asp Trp 115 120 125 Ile Ala Tyr Ile Ser Arg Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Ala His Leu His 130 135 140 Ile His His Val Ile His Arg Asp Ile Lys Gly Gln Asn Val Leu Leu 145 150 155 160 Thr Glu Asn Ala Glu Val Lys Leu Val Asp Phe Gly Val Ser Ala Gln 165 170 175 Leu Asp Arg Thr Val Gly Arg Arg Asn Thr Phe Ile Gly Thr Pro Tyr 180 185 190 Trp Met Ala Pro Glu Val Ile Ala Cys Asp Glu Asn Pro Asp Ala Thr 195 200 205 Tyr Asp Tyr Arg Ser Asp Leu Trp Ser Cys Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile Glu 210 215 220 Met Ala Glu Gly Cys Pro Pro Leu Cys Asp Met His Pro Met Arg Ala 225 230 235 240 Leu Phe Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Pro Pro Pro Arg Leu Lys Ser Lys Lys 245 250 255 Trp Ser Lys Lys Phe Phe Ser Phe Ile Glu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asn 260 265 270 Tyr Met Gln Arg Pro Ser Thr Glu Gln Leu Leu Lys His Pro Phe Ile 275 280 285 Arg Asp Gln Pro Asn Glu Arg Gln Val Arg Ile Gln Leu Lys Asp His 290 295 300 Ile Asp Arg Thr Arg Lys Lys Arg Gly Glu Lys Asp Glu Thr Glu Tyr 305 310 315 320 Glu Tyr Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Val Pro Glu Glu Gln 325 330 335 Glu Gly Glu Pro Ser Ser Ile Val Asn Val Pro Gly Glu Ser Thr Leu 340 345 350 Arg Arg Asp Phe Leu Arg Leu Gln Gln Glu Asn Lys Glu Arg Ser Glu 355 360 365 Ala Leu Arg Arg Gln Gln Leu Ser Gln Glu Gln Leu Arg Glu Gln Glu 370 375 380 Glu Tyr Lys Arg Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Gln Lys Arg Ile Glu Cys 385 390 395 400 Gln Lys Glu Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Arg 405 410 415 Glu Ala Arg Arg Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Arg Arg Arg Glu Gln Glu 420 425 430 Glu Lys Arg Arg Leu Glu Glu Leu Glu Arg Arg Arg Lys Glu Glu Glu 435 440 445 Glu Arg Arg Arg Ala Glu Glu Glu Arg Arg Arg Val Glu Arg Glu Gln 450 455 460 Glu Tyr Ile Arg Arg Gln Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Arg His Leu Glu Ile 465 470 475 480 Leu Gln Gln Gln Leu Leu Gln Glu Gln Ala Met Leu Leu His Asp His 485 490 495 Arg His Pro His Ala Gln Gln Gln Pro Pro Pro Pro Gln Gln Gln Asp 500 505 510 Arg Ser Lys Pro Ser Ser His Ala Pro Glu Pro Lys Pro His Tyr Asp 515 520 525 Pro Ala Asp Asn Ala Arg Glu Val Gln Trp Ser His Leu Ala Ser Leu 530 535 540 Lys Asn Asn Val Ser Pro Val Ser Arg Ser His Ser Phe Ser Asp Val 545 550 555 560 Pro Ser Lys Phe Ala Ala His His His Leu Arg Ser Gln Asp Pro Cys 565 570 575 Pro Pro Ser Arg Ser Glu Gly Leu Ser Gln Ser Ser Asp Ser Lys Ser 580 585 590 Glu Val Pro Glu Pro Thr Arg Gln Lys Ala Trp Ser Arg Ser Asp Ser 595 600 605 Asp Glu Val Pro Pro Arg Val Pro Val Arg Thr Thr Ser Arg Ser Pro 610 615 620 Val Leu Ser Arg Arg Asp Ser Pro Leu Gln Gly Gly Gly Asn Ser Gln 625 630 635 640 Ala Gly Gln Arg Asn Ser Thr Ser Ser Ile Glu Pro Pro Leu Leu Trp 645 650 655 Glu Arg Val Glu Lys Leu Val Pro Arg Pro Gly Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser 660 665 670 Gly Ser Ser Asn Ser Gly Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser His Pro Cys Ser Gln 675 680 685 Ser Gly Ser Gly Glu Arg Phe Arg Val Arg Ser Ser Ser Lys Ser Glu 690 695 700 Gly Ser Pro Ser Pro Arg Gln Glu Ser Ala Ala Lys Lys Pro Asp Asp 705 710 715 720 Lys Lys Glu Val Phe Arg Ser Leu Lys Pro Ala Gly Glu Val Asp Leu 725 730 735 Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Arg Ala Val Glu Asp Val Arg Pro Pro 740 745 750 His Lys Val Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Glu Ser Gly Thr Thr 755 760 765 Asp Glu Phe Glu Glu Pro Val His Gln Glu Gly Ala Asp Asp Ser Thr 770 775 780 Ser Gly Pro Glu Asp Thr Arg Ala Ala Ser Pro Asn Leu Ser Asn Gly 785 790 795 800 Glu Thr Glu Ser Val Lys Thr Met Ile Val His Asp Asp Val Glu Ser 805 810 815 Glu Pro Ala Met Thr Pro Ser Lys Glu Gly Thr Leu Ile Val Arg Gln 820 825 830 Thr Gln Ser Ala Ser Ser Thr Leu Gln Lys His Lys Ser Ser Ser Ser 835 840 845 Phe Thr Pro Asp Phe Thr Asp Pro Arg Leu Leu Leu Gln Ile Ser Pro 850 855 860 Ser Gly Thr Thr Val Thr Ser Val Val Gly Phe Ser Cys Asp Gly Leu 865 870 875 880 Arg Pro Glu Ala Ile Arg Gln Asp Pro Thr Arg Lys Gly Ser Val Val 885 890 895 Asn Val Asn Pro Thr Asn Thr Arg Pro Gln Ser Asp Thr Pro Glu Ile 900 905 910 Arg Lys Tyr Lys Lys Arg Phe Asn Ser Glu Ile Leu Cys Ala Ala Leu 915 920 925 Trp Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Val Gly Thr Glu Ser Gly Leu Met Leu Leu 930 935 940 Asp Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Lys Val Tyr Pro Leu Ile Ser Arg Arg Arg 945 950 955 960 Phe Gln Gln Met Asp Val Leu Glu Gly Leu Asn Val Leu Val Thr Ile 965 970 975 Ser Gly Lys Lys Asp Lys Leu Arg Val Tyr Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Arg 980 985 990 Asn Arg Ile Leu His Asn Asp Pro Glu Val Glu Lys Lys Gln Gly Trp 995 1000 1005 Thr Thr Val Gly Asp Leu Glu Gly Cys Val His Tyr Lys Val Val 1010 1015 1020 Lys Tyr Glu Arg Ile Lys Phe Leu Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Ser Ser 1025 1030 1035 Val Glu Val Tyr Ala Trp Ala Pro Lys Pro Tyr His Lys Phe Met 1040 1045 1050 Ala Phe Lys Ser Phe Gly Glu Leu Leu His Lys Pro Leu Leu Val 1055 1060 1065 Asp Leu Thr Val Glu Glu Gly Gln Arg Leu Lys Val Ile Tyr Gly 1070 1075 1080 Ser Cys Ala Gly Phe His Ala Val Asp Val Asp Ser Gly Ser Val 1085 1090 1095 Tyr Asp Ile Tyr Leu Pro Thr His Ile Gln Cys Ser Ile Lys Pro 1100 1105 1110 His Ala Ile Tyr Ile Leu Pro Asn Thr Asp Gly Met Glu Leu Leu 1115 1120 1125 Val Cys Tyr Glu Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Val Asn Thr Tyr Gly Arg 1130 1135 1140 Ile Thr Lys Asp Val Val Leu Gln Trp Gly Glu Met Pro Thr Ser 1145 1150 1155 Val Ala Tyr Ile His Ser Asn Gln Thr Met Gly Trp Gly Glu Lys 1160 1165 1170 Ala Ile Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Glu Thr Gly His Leu Asp Gly Val 1175 1180 1185 Phe Met His Lys Arg Ala Gln Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Cys Gly Arg 1190 1195 1200 Asn Asp Lys Val Phe Phe Ser Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ser Ser 1205 1210 1215 Gln Val Tyr Phe Met Thr Leu Gly Arg Thr Ser Leu Leu Ser Trp 1220 1225 1230 36 6 PRT Artificial Sequence synthetic 36 Pro Pro Leu Pro Thr Arg 1 5 

We claim:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a TNFK protein, comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2-8.
 2. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a TNIK protein, comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9-15.
 3. An expression vector, comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1 or 2, operably linked to regulatory sequences recognized by a host cell transformed with said expression vector.
 4. A host cell or progeny thereof, wherein said host cell is transfected with the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1 or 2, and wherein said host cell or progeny thereof comprises said isolated nucleic acid following said transfection.
 5. A host cell or progeny thereof, wherein said host cell is transfected with the expression vector according to claim 3, and wherein said host cell or progeny thereof comprises said expression vector following said transfection.
 6. A process for producing a TNIK protein, comprising culturing the host cell or progeny thereof according to claim 4 or 5 under conditions suitable for expression of said TNIK protein.
 7. The process according to claim 6, further comprising recovering said TNIK protein.
 8. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:2.
 9. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:3.
 10. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:4.
 11. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:5.
 12. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:6.
 13. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:7.
 14. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:8.
 15. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:9.
 16. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO.10.
 17. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 3, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:11.
 18. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:12.
 19. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:13.
 20. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:14.
 21. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 2, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes SEQ ID NO:15.
 22. A process for producing a TNIK protein, comprising culturing the host cell or progeny thereof according to claim 5 under conditions suitable for expression of said TNIK protein.
 23. The process according to claim 22, further comprising recovering said TNIK protein. 